Std 9-10 Trip to Jaipur – a city of Glorious Past

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An electrifying tour to Jaipur was organised to rejuvenate the students and to ease off from the recently concluded periodic exams. The tight and hectic schedule had jaded all of us and a tour to Jaipur was hence a great idea.

7th‎ of October, 2018. It was a day full of rejoicement and merriment. The students of classes 9 and 10 were about to embark on a very joyous and relaxing tour to the posh Pink City of Jaipur. On the bright Sunday afternoon, we left the school and headed towards the Surat Railway Station to catch the train to Jaipur. We were rapt with bubbling excitement, very anxious and eager to board the train. After loads of kicking of heels and twiddling of thumbs, all efforts to kill time, the prolonged anticipation ended and we mounted the train.

There’s no atom of hyperbole in saying that the downright long train journey of 15 hours turned into exhilaration and unending saga of jubilation. We alighted the train at Jaipur Junction in the morning of 8th October. After an extended bus journey, we arrived at our long-awaited destination, The Rajasthali Resort, a place amidst nature with admirable infrastructure and beautiful surroundings.

We refreshed ourselves by dint of a cool splash in the pool. Followed by a delicious lunch, we headed towards the magnificent Jaigarh Fort, catching glimpses of armaments and barricades. Something that we all were awestruck by and which caught our breaths was the largest cannon in the world. It was a living mark of the exquisite craftsmanship of the Rajasthanis linked to which are many legends and folklores.

We travelled ahead in jeeps towards the breath-taking Amer Fort. It was a unique fort-cum-palace full of grandeur, this place seemed to be a perfect display of astounding masonry, ideal blend of diverse culture and flawless architecture. It was truly an ostentatious monument revealing true colours of Rajasthani splendour.

On the journey back to the hotel, we visited a handicraft textile market where we observed a demonstration on the traditional method of block printing. Furthermore, we observed the display of domestic artefacts and exclusive Rajasthani fabric.

Next day, on 9th‎ October, we were set for a full day of adventure. After a high-carb breakfast, we proceeded towards the adventure park, “TAO Experiences”.

This splendid place quenched our inner thirst for an adventure. The site had an exciting array of adventure activities of which we pulled off quad biking, paintball, zipline, body zorbing, bungee-running and roller zorbing.

Soon, we set off to return to our “home away from home” after a day full of thrill and exaltation. But we were not yet done for the day. The inexhaustible fervour of everyone captivated us to join a musical evening. It was the 1st day of Navratri and hence the Garba night. We were enraptured with bubbling zest, oblivious to the tiresome day.

The final morning of our stay was rather a soothing one. After breakfast, we embraced the super-cool water in the pool once more. After a game of water polo along with fiery music, we were ready for the day.

Finally, we tightened our laces to check out from the resplendence of the resort.

After a few quick instructions we set off to explore the opulent Jantar Mantar, a vivid emblem of the majestic, scientific advancement of historical India. Its accuracy of showing time and the largest sun clock were just stunning. Next, we headed towards the mind-boggling City Palace. It was literally a maze full of state-of-the-art monuments. We departed towards the last landmark of our trip. It was none other than the heavenly Hawa Mahal. The outlandish fact of it being without any foundations was flabbergasting to see. It was a spectacular experience in viewing its artistic interior.

Then, we left for the railway from the core of the city while cherishing the never-to-be-forgotten memories of the Pink City. Soon, we headed to the platform and boarded the train ready to get back to that wonderful corner of the Earth: HOME. We fell onto our berths contemplating about the euphoric trip we had. At 10 in the morning of the 11th October, we alighted from the train, fresh and ready to resume the school.

What joy! What exhilarating fun we had! Memories of this excursion will be etched on our minds for eternity!

The experiences of this tour have left indelible footprints on the sands of time for us.

Reported by: Niramay Mehta, Kalp Patel (Class 10)

AVM Volleyball Team brings a new shiny medal home!

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On the sixth of October our school participated in the CBSE Cluster – U-17 Volleyball Competition 2018-19. On arriving at the venue, Shri Swaminarayan Mission School, we were informed that our match was the first in the tournament. But to our disappointment, our opponents, had been unable to arrive on time leading to a delay. Finally, when the match took place, we were able to extract an easy win by 2-0. Our next match was against Shree Satya Sai School. Unfortunately, the match was in the afternoon’s scorching heat. Due to this, the game turned out to be a test of our perseverance and stamina. In the end, the game fell in our favour and we secured victory by 2-0. This concluded the play for the day.

On the next day, we arrived confidently supported by our previous wins. For our next match, we were up against Divine Child High School. Due to our in-form gameplay and confident and zealous disposition, we were able to grab victory in straight sets, propelling us to the semi-finals. In the semi-finals, we faced Bright International School. The rising competitiveness enforced us to up our game. The semi-finals were exhilarating and breath-taking. We managed to gain a 2-0 advantage in the beginning but our opponents rejuvenated their gameplay causing our confidence to falter resulting in them taking the set averaging the score by 2-1. Our hopes began to shatter but then our enthusiastic coach Ritesh Sir took the initiative of revitalizing our motivation. Back in the game with charged mind-sets, we stole the next set from the claws of defeat, snatched triumph with a final score of 3-1 projecting us straight to the finals. Unfortunately, we couldn’t give our best in the finals and ended as the silver medallists and the runners up of the year.

In the past, our school team had managed to repeatedly win bronze. But this time around, with the grace of our founding father, Param Pujya Hariprasadswamiji and by the immeasurable hard work, dedication and sincere efforts of our coach Ritesh Sir and support staff, we were able to take it up a notch. Our team would like to dedicate this achievement to all those who have laboured behind us day and night to make this possible.

Reported by: Jagrat Sandesara, Akshar Patel (Class 10)

A great learning experience at the Khel Mahakumbh – U-14 Basketball Competition 2018-19

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On October 6th 2018, we participated in the Khel Mahakumbh – U-14 Basketball Competition 2018-19 at Vasishtha Genesis School. We arrived at the location ready and fully energized. Due to a team not reporting, we got past our first match with a bye. Finally, after many hours of waiting, our game was against a very good team of the hosts, Vasishtha Genesis School. We began the game very positively, but somehow during the game, we lost our edge. Despite trying hard, we lost the game by 4-10.

We were glad to have had a chance to represent our school and came back with great learning experience.

Parmeshbhai got selected to play at the State-level Competition. Congratulations to Bankim Sir and Jignesh Sir for such a great effort.

Reported by: Parmesh Patel, Niramay Chauhan (Class 8)

An Inspiring Team Effort by AVM at the Khel Mahakumbh – U-17 Basketball Competition 2018-19

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When it comes to basketball, it is certainly not for the lazy and unfit. It is a very competitive game, requiring a lot of vigour and stamina. But thankfully, it was not impossible for us.

On 4th October 2018, our school team participated full of fire and fury in the Khel Mahakumbh – U-17 Basketball Competition 2018-19. It was expected to be fascinating because the level of competition was great. The team was led by none other than our sports captain, Dhrumilbhai himself.

The draws were done and the fixtures were ready. Our first match was to be played against Essar International School. The score was 0-0 until the first timeout was taken. Then, our team gave its heart and soul to secure our place in the quarter-finals with a score of 10-1.

The quarter-final was against Vidyamangal School. It was going to be a tough time as the match was to be played at noon. But rain or shine, we inclined to victory. At the end, the scoreboard said 22-2. It was a great team effort securing our place in the semi-finals.

Due to unexpected delays, the semis were postponed to the next day. On 5th October 2018, we played the semi-finals against Vasishtha Vidhyalaya. Despite great efforts, our team lost with a score of 13-6.

But in no condition did we want to return empty-handed. The third-place match was fixed against P. P. Savani International School. Lots of shoots, free throws, blocks, fouls, lay-ups. At the end, the match was in our favour, the score was 23-10. We secured the third place and won some cash prize.

To add icing to the cake, Dhrumilbhai, Harshilbhai and Tirthbhai got selected to participate in the state-level competition.

Congratulations to Bankim Sir, Jignesh Sir, Hitesh Sir and the captain and his team, for such an excellent effort.

Reported by: Harshil Patel, Dhrumil Patel (Class 10)

જળઝીલણી એકાદશીનું માહત્મ્ય

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ભાદરવો માસપણ વ્રતોત્સવનો મહિનો ગણાય છે. ભગવાન અષાઢ સુદિ એકાદશીએ પોઢવા પધારે છે અને કારતક સુદિ એકાદશીએ જાગ્રત થાય છે. પરંતુ ભાદરવા સુદિ એકાદશીએ ભગવાન પડખું બદલી પરિવર્તન કરે છે. આ દિવસે નારાયણ ગાઢ નિદ્રામાંથી પોતાનું પડખું આનંદથી ફેરવે છે, એમ મનાય છે. એટલે આ એકાદશીને પાર્શ્વ પરિવર્તિની એકાદશી તરીકે ઊજવવામાં આવે છે. આ દિવસે જળઝીલણી ઉત્સવની પરંપરા છે.

આ પાવન દિવસે ભગવાન સ્વામિનારાયણે ગુણાતીતાનંદસ્વામીજીના પ્રગટ્ય સ્થાને ભાદરામાં આવેલી ઊંડ નદીમાં ભક્તવૃંદ સાથે ચલાખારૂપી નૌકામાં જળવિહાર કરી દિવ્યતાની અનુભૂતિ કરાવી હતી. જળઝીલણી એકાદશીના દિવસે શ્રીકૃષ્ણ ભગવાને ગોપીઓ સાથે યમુનામાં નૌકાવિહાર કર્યો હતો. ત્યારથી આ પરંપરા ચાલી આવી છે. તેવું પણ શાસ્ત્રોમાં વર્ણન જોવા મળે છે. ભવસાગર પાર ઉતરવા માટે ગોપીઓની જેમ ભક્તોએ ભગવાન અને ગુરુના ચરણે મન અર્પિત કરવું જોઈએ તેવો સંદેશો આ જળઝીલણી એકાદશીથી મળે છે.

તા. 20-09-2018ના રોજ સાંજે 5:30 થી 6:30 દરમ્યાન આત્મીય વિદ્યા મંદિરના પટાંગણમાં શાળાના સૌ ભૂલકાંઓ સાથે પૂજ્ય સુહ્રદસ્વામીજી, પૂજ્ય સંબંધજીવનસ્વામીજી, પૂજ્ય વિજય સર, પૂજ્ય નટુદા, પૂજ્ય અર્જુનમામા તથા સર્વે શિક્ષકગણની ઉપસ્થિતિમાં ભક્તિસભર હૈયે જળઝીલણી એકાદશીનો ઉત્સવ ઉજવાયો.

ધૂન-કીર્તનના તાલે શાળાના પરિસરમાં શ્રીઠાકોરજીની શોભાયાત્રાનો પ્રારંભ થયો. જેમાં ધોરણ 12ના સૌ ભૂલકાંઓ જોડાયા હતા. શ્રીઠાકોરજીના જળવિહાર માટે સુંદર નયનરમ્ય પુષ્પાચ્છાદિત સુશોભન કરી તરણકુંડ તૈયાર કરવામાં આવ્યો હતો. સંતવર્ય પૂજ્યસુહ્રદસ્વામીજી, પૂજ્ય સંબંધજીવનસ્વામીજી તથા પૂજ્ય વિજય સર દ્વારા શ્રીઠાકોરજીનું પૂજન કરી શ્રીઠાકોરજીના ચરણે પ્રાર્થના પુષ્પ અર્પણ કર્યા બાદ આરતી કરવામાં આવી. પૂજ્ય સુહ્રદસ્વામીજીએ જળઝીલણીનું માહત્મ્ય સમજાવી સ્વામીશ્રીને કેવી રીતે રાજી કરી તેમના પ્રત્યે સર્વોપરી નિષ્ઠા ર્દઢ કરી શકીએ તે વાત પ્રસંગો દ્વારા સંક્ષિપ્તમાં સમજાવી. સુહ્રદસ્વામીજીએ બાળકોને એ પણ અંતર્દષ્ટિ કરાવી કે આપણે સાચી જળઝીલણી એકાદશી તો જ ઉજવી કહેવાય કે જ્યારે સાચા અર્થમાં આપણા જીવનની નૈયા સ્વામીજીના ચરણોમાં સમર્પિત કરી તેમના ગમતા પ્રમાણેનું જીવન જીવી આ ઉત્સવને પોતાનો બનાવીએ.

ત્યારબાદ શ્રીઠાકોરજીને નૌકાવિહાર કરાવવામાં આવ્યો, જેમાં ધોરણ 5 થી 12ના સૌ ભૂલકાંઓ ઉત્સાહ પૂર્વક જોડાયા હતા. અંતમાં સહુ આત્મીયજનો કાકડીનો વિશિષ્ટ પ્રસાદ લઈ સૌ પોતાના ગંતવ્યસ્થાને પધાર્યા.

આ રીતે આત્મીય વિદ્યા મંદિરના પટાંગણમાં સંતોના પ્રાસંગિક આગમનથી જળઝીલણીનો ઉત્સવ અનેરો બની રહ્યો.

ગૌતમ સર

Celebrating the Saralta of Shri Ganpatiji – Ganesh Chaturthi 2018

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“विघ्न हरण, मंगल करण, गणनायक गणराज |

रिद्धि सिद्धि सहित पधारजो, म्हारा पूरण करजो काज ||”

गणेश चतुर्थी हिन्दू धर्म का अत्यधिक मुख्य तथा बहुत प्रसिद्ध पर्व है। इसे हर साल अगस्त या सितंबर के महीने में बड़े ही उत्साह के साथ मनाया जाता है। इसे भगवान गणेश जी के जन्म दिन के रुप में मनाते हैं, जो माता पार्वती और भगवान शिव के पुत्र हैं। ये बुद्धि और समृद्धि के भगवान हैं इसलिए इन दोनों को पाने के लिये लोग इनकी पूजा करते हैं। लोग गणेश जी की मिट्टी की प्रतिमा अपने घर लाते हैं और चतुर्थी पर घर में रखते हैं तथा दस दिन तक उनकी भक्ति करते हैं | उसके बाद अनन्त चतुर्दशी के दिन अर्थात् 11वें दिन गणेश विसर्जन करते हैं।

आत्मीय विद्या मंदिर एक ऐसा विद्या मंदिर है जहाँ पर छात्रों को शिक्षा के साथ-साथ विशेष रूप से संस्कार एवं आध्यात्मिकता का ज्ञान दिया जाता है | छात्रों के अंदर भक्ति भाव का सिंचन हो उसी उद्देश्य से विद्यालय में अलग-अलग धार्मिक त्योहार मनाये जाते हैं | उन त्योहारों में से इस साल विद्यालय में गणेश चतुर्थी का त्योहार हर्षोल्लास के साथ मनाया गया | इस वर्ष गणेश चतुर्थी के दिन 13 सितंबर 2018 शाम 4 बजे सभी छात्रों ने और अद्यापकों ने मिलकर गणपति जी का बड़े उत्साह के साथ स्वागत किया | विद्यालय प्रांगण में छात्रोंने गणपतिजी की मूर्ति के साथ प्रदक्षिणा की, तत् पश्चात विद्यालय के प्रार्थना खंड में मूर्ति स्थापन किया गया | यहाँ पर पाँच दिन तक गणेश वंदना एवं पूजा-अर्चना हुई और पाँचवें दिन 17 सितंबर 2018 शाम 4 बजे गणेश जी की मूर्ति के विसर्जन हेतु सभी छात्रों ने उत्साह के साथ विसर्जन में भाग लिया | और विघ्न हर्ता गणेश जी को हृदय से प्रार्थना की अगले साल जल्दी आना | सभी के लिए मंगल कामना करते हुए मूर्ति का विसर्जन नदी के अंदर भक्ति भाव से किया गया | सच में एक अद्भूत संस्मरण कह सकते हैं |  छात्रों ने इस त्योहार का भरपूर आनंद लिया |

अंत में भगवान गणेश जी से प्रार्थना करें कि आप लोगों के जीवन से सभी बाधाओं और मुश्किलों को दूर करें | साथ ही साथ उनके जीवन को खुशियों से भर दें। हमारा देश भारत बहुत ही प्रगति करता रहे और आबाद रहे ऐसी आपसे हृदय से प्रार्थना |

कमलेश सर