mahaswamigalgnanasudha@yahoo.com
Among the activities of Gnanasudha, Annadhanam (distribution of free meals to needy) is an annual event. We conduct Annadhanam, since 2009, on Sri Sri Mahaperiyava Jayanthi day, i.e., on Vaikasi Anusham at Kumbakonam. This year it is on 12th June, 2014 (Thursday). In 2013, free food was distributed to more than 46,000 needy persons.
Sri Sri Mahaperiyava stressed on the significance of Annadhanam and desined a unique way to facilitate participation in Annadhanam even by people of small means. His Pidi Arisi Thittam (PAT) – Handful Rice Programme – enjoins on households to spare a handful of rice, out of their daily cooking rice, and save the rice in a pot. Such accumulated rice will be collected, cooked and served to the needy. We daily in the following paragraphs how this programmed is organized at Kumbakonam by Gnanasudha.
Information is carried out throughout Kumbakonam about the Pidi Arisi Thittam. Volunteers visit the houses, collect the rice and dhal. We are happy to inform that sizable households at Kumbakonam participate in the Programme.
Though large quantity of rice, dhal, grocery, vegetables, oil and others are contributed by well-wishers, the collection from the PAT is the core components, however little it is. Reputed cooks prepare the food in a Marriage Hall and this centralized preparation is carefully monitored. Due care is taken to ensure that food is hygiene and tasty. Appropriate Authorities are informed of the Programme. This activity is well organized, coordinated and supervised. In 2013, the menu for Annadhanam included Rava Kesari, Vegetable Sambar Rice, and Curd Rice with mango along with water packet.
A Photo of Sri Sri Mahaperiyava is placed in the centre and a pooja & karpura harathi is offered to Sri Sri Mahaperiyava by vaithegas before beginning food-distribution. Kumkum and Akshathai from Sri Mutt are kept in the venue for the gathering. The centrally cooked food is carried in mini vans/tri-cycles to all distribution centres. The food was served in tetra plates. In 2013, through 75 distribution centres, 46,000 people received food.
We are able to carry out Annadhanam mainly due to the selfless dedicated service of more than 500 volunteers, good number of philanthropists who denote liberally in terms of money and materials (grocery, vegetables, cooking gas, transport service and others) and sizeable members who sposor specific centres. Of course, the whole endeavour runs with the blessings of Sri Sri Mahaperiyava. This year, we have, already, initiated steps to conduct Annadhanam on 12th June, 2014 (Thursday) at Kumbakonam to more than 46,000 beneficiaries. We solicit support from the devotees of Sri Sri Mahaperiyava and invite volunteers to take part in our effort.
Every year during summer vacation free classes are being conducted for students to expose them on our tradition and culture along with the right mix of traditional indoor games like Dayakattam, Pallankuzhi, Chozhi, Parama Padam, Nalukattam, Adupuli Attam, etc., so as to make the programme interesting.
The classes schedule are as follows :
| 09:50 A.M | Attendance |
| 10:00 A.M | Prayer |
| 10:05 A.M | Indru oru tdagaval (Daily Information) by two students on different topics |
| 10:10 A.M | Moral/Sanskrit |
| 10:50 A.M | Slokam/Nama Sankeertdanam/Handi Crafts/Poo tdodutdal/Kolattam/ Kolam (for Girls) |
| 11:20 A.M | Break – Snacks/Cool Drinks |
| From 11:30 A.M | onwards Indoor games. |
Syllabus is framed for each class. Exams are conducted and certificates and prizes are distributed at tde completion of tde course. Two note books are given to each students to write Rama Nama, Bhagavan Nama. One day is allocated for exhibiting tde talent of tde students like vocal/instrumental, Karate etc., One day is allocated for exposing tde students to social service like 'Ulavarapani'. Medical camp is arranged on one day. Each subject is handled by a teacher who has specialised in tdat field.
tde above classes are conducted for boys by a vedic pandit between 08:00 AM and 09:15 AM and later on break fast is provided by us at tde venue for tde boys so tdat tdey can continue to attend tde main classes by 10 AM.
