An unusually hot April sun, many brave little ones and an enthralling line-up of fun activities made up the annual day celebration of Children Sunday Satsanga on April 9, 2017. On the completion of 100 years of YSS this year, its’ Foundation Day was celebrated by children of YSS devotees from YSS Noida Ashram, from YSS Delhi and Gurgaon Kendras, as well as from Paramahansa Yogananda Swarna Bal Vatika (PYSBV) collectively at Noida Ashram’s Auditorium.

Brahmachari Sheelanandaji lit the lamp and inaugurated the day-long programme. Beginning with the opening prayer and chanting, volunteers conducted an orientation session for the activities that lay ahead. Children of all age groups participated in the indoor games that were conducted with enthusiasm by the volunteers of Children’s  Satsanga. Hurdle Race was conducted for the ‘sub-junior’ group, Musical Race for the ‘junior group’, and Lemon Race for the ‘senior group’ of children. These groups were further divided into two – for boys and girls – and they could separately compete for the top slots.

To mark the centenary foundation day, balloons carrying the message of ‘Centenary of YSS’ in three colours – white, blue and yellow – were released by the devotees, their children and sannyasis. Devotees who had just attended the regular Sunday Satsanga in the meditation hall of the Noida Ashram also joined in the celebrations. A special lunch followed this break at mid-day and a video was screened later.

A cultural programme prepared by the children of YSS NCR Children Sunday Satsanga and PYSBV kids followed. Beginning with the blow of conch shells along with a floral tribute to Gurudeva, Sri Sri Paramahansa Yogananda, children delivered a soulful rendition of Guru Vandana and Ganesh Vandana. In a dance performance that followed, an eight-year-old girl enthralled the audience.

The highlight of the programme was the dramatized representation of the 100 years of YSS – the spiritual organization founded by Gurudeva Paramahansa Yogananda. A few of the parents of these talented children of YSS Sunday school were asked to give their feedback regarding the role of Children Sunday Satsanga in the life of their kids. They were happy to share some events from the lives of the children, which showed the tremendous transformations that were taking place in their lives, due to the influence of the Sunday School.

At the conclusion of the programme, Swami Lalitanandaji gave away prizes to regular attendees of the Children Satsanga on Sundays, as also to the winners of the sports activities of the day. Swamiji also gave an inspiring message to the children, which was followed by bhajans by volunteers.

The little ones and Children Satsanga volunteers received souvenirs of this Centenary Special Foundation Day programme that included meditation asana and food hampers.

Leaving the venue, beaming faces of children as well as volunteers captured the essence of the day’s events: the undeniably strong presence of the love and blessings of Gurudeva.

A young participant from YSS Delhi Kendra, Anand Misra shared his gratitude thus “Thank you, Guruji, for such a wonderful centenary celebration, a day full of thrill, fun and participation.”