Saturday, November 1, 2008

The food-Relief Activities of the Ashram in Bihar

‘Service to man is service to God’ is the maxim that governs
The food-Relief Activities of the Ashram in Bihar
Whether it is the earthquakes of Kutch and Bhuj or the havoc played by the Tsunami; the floods of Gujarat or Bihar or any other natural calamity …service to the Lord in the form of humanity has always been provided and will continue to be provided by way of helping the victims.

The surging floodwaters of the Koshi River in Bihar completely wiped out whole villages. On Pujya Bapuji’s instructions relief squads fully equipped with relief material promptly arrived at the affected areas from Delhi, Amadavad and other places. Office – bearers of Bhagalpur and other nearly Samitis as well as other disciples of Pujya Bapuji are engaged in the relief operatins with zeal and enthusiasm. When the relief squad of Ashram’s Seva Samiti arrived at Naugachhia village in Bhagalpur Distt., they brought cheer to the hunger-stricken faces of people there. Food –packets containing roasted rice, jaggery and rotis were handed over to thousands of people.

Khichri, vegetables, rice etc. are being distributed everyday among thousands of people at Soha, Harikhand, Devahatt, Surhat Binhata, Sahsol panchayat villages in Saharasa Distt. Sonavarsha block. This is a big relief to people suffering from want of foodstuffs. Ayurvedic and Allopathic medical camps too are being organized by the Ashram where medical treatment is being provided to thousands of people suffering from various diseases sanitation camps too have been set up over here. The administration at Sonavarsha too has praised the relief camps being run there under Pujya Bapuji’s guidance and inspiration.

Food-camps in Biharganj, Arar, etc. of Madhepura Distt. Are providing food to thousands of calamity- stricken people everyday. Hundreds of people everyday are being provided health protection guidance and medicines through medical camps. The medical and sanitation camps set up by the ashram have proved to be a blessing in protection people from contagious diseases. Here efforts are on to bring about overall development of the flood-victims through Bal Sanskar Kenras, Satsanga, Kirtana, etc. Along with foodstuffs, articles of daily use like soap, oil, clothes, utensils, matches, candles etc. too are being distributed by the ashram among flood affected people of Madhepura and Sadharasa Distt. 15000 people have been benefited.

Fierce torrent of flood-water had caused havoc in Pureni Block of Madhepura Distt. Roasted rice, sugar, biscuit-packets matches, candles and other articles of everyday use were distributed to thousands of people. The Ashram Sevadharis sprinkled bleaching powder in these areas to save people from epidemics. Bags of bleaching power were provided by the Ashram to the block administration also at the latter’s request.

Foodstuffs, articles of daily use and also plastic sheets for protecting against rains and new clothes were distributed to thousands of people in Jogiraj Tribal Musahri, Jogiraj Harijan Tola, Jogiraj Tribal Tola, Bala Tola, Balia, and Kusandi Dira, Kusandi, Vasudevpur and nearby areas. Bhandaras were organized to provide food to thousands of people here. A medical camps is in progress in Triveniganj block, Dist. Supol where hundreds of people of people are provided medical treatment.

The Ashram’s local Seva Samiti at Katihar Distt. Is regularly providing food and other articles of everyday use like clothes, soap and candles to thousands of people.

All over Bihar, food is being provided everyday to 25000 to 30000 people and in addition food packets, clothes utensils, soap, oil, candles and matches are being distributed.

The relief squads of the Ashram who are working in the flood-affected areas are going to the extent of crossing turbulent relief-material to marooned people. Reflecting the truth of the maxim ‘Service to man is service to God’ in their conduct, Pujya Bapuji’s disciples have been promptly arriving at the affected areas in all the incidents of natural calamities in the country and are likewise busy carrying out the relief operations in Bihar as well with zeal and fervour. Because of their selfless and devoted service, requests are coming from many areas seeking their services.

A makeshift township by the name of Sant Sri Asaramji Nagar has been erected 50 km from Purnia in Janaki Nagar for the all round development of flood-afected people. Thousands of families are being provided temporary huts so that they may live with freedom and peace. Arrangements are being made here to provide to flood-affected people in addition to food, mosquito-nets, trunks, oil, soap, milk and biscuits for children, roasted rice, sugar, candles matches and other necessities of life. Arrangements are being made also to provide medical aid, spiritual and devotional environment and satsang to flood-affected people. Efforts are under way to help them live a better and higher life.

GLOSSARY
Om – the pranava-pronounced as ‘Aum’, it is the monosyllabic personification of the Supreme Being.
ā – this is pronounced as ‘aa’ like in archanā, which is pronounced as archanaa.
Anushthāna – japa of a mantra for a fixed number on a daily basis with a fized purpose and a fixed duration.
Brahmajnāni – a Self-realized one.
Brahmajnāna - knowledge of Brahman or the self.
Dhātu – a basic constituent element of the body.
Darshana – to be blessed by the sight or the presence of a saint, sage or deity.
Japa – repetition of a mantra or the Lord’s name, vocally or silently.
Kapha – biological water humour phlegm.
Kailaisha – a mountain suppose to be located in Tibet near the Mansarovar Lake, and regarded as the home of Kubera and main abode of Shiva.
Nitya – Eternal Being.
Naimittika – obligatory and occasional rites.
Pitta – biological bile humour.
Prasāda – grace of the Lord, a deity or a personage; consecrated food.
Prānāyāma – breathing exercise.
Pārijāta – one of the five trees of paradise produced at the churning of the ocean.
Satsanga – pious discourse and company of a saint.
Sattva – one of the three qualities of nature characterized by purity and righteousness.
Sādhaka – an aspirant on the spiritual path.
Sādhanā – spiritual endeavour.
Upāsanā – worship.
Vaikuntha – the divine abode of Lord Vishnu.
Vātā – biological wind humour.
Vratā – an austerity, a religious vow or a fast. Vritti – a modification of the mind/tendency.

1 comment:

Unknown said...

guru ki seva sadhu jane
guru seva kya mudh pichane