https://shashiamber.medium.com/when-heritage-becomes-a-living-memory-how-bala-samskar-kendras-are-shaping-the-next-generation-202154e62bdf

A civilization does not survive merely because its temples remain standing or its scriptures continue to be preserved. It survives when the next generation understands the stories, values, traditions, and ideas that gave those institutions meaning in the first place.
This question of cultural transmission lies at the heart of the Bala Samskar Kendra initiative of the Global Hindu Heritage Foundation (GHHF).
The programme is built around a simple idea: children should have an opportunity to understand their heritage in a way that goes beyond memorising prayers or learning about festivals. They should be able to discover the stories of saints and heroes, understand the significance behind traditions, explore the teachings of Sanatana Dharma, and experience their culture through participation.
What began as a small network of Sunday schools has grown into an initiative that GHHF says now reaches approximately 4,500 students through 175 schools across nine Indian states and Bangladesh.
Making Tradition Understandable to Children
For a child, culture is rarely learned from a textbook alone.
It is experienced through stories told by grandparents, festivals celebrated at home, visits to temples, songs, prayers, food, language, community gatherings, and the people whose lives become examples of courage and compassion.
Bala Samskar Kendras attempt to bring these different elements together.
Students are introduced to the lives and teachings of saints, sages, poets, warriors, reformers, and national figures. They learn about personalities such as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Swami Dayananda Saraswati, Sant Ravidas, Maharishi Valmiki, Vemana, Swami Vivekananda, Guru Nanak and Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam.
The objective is not simply to remember names and dates. Their lives provide children with examples through which values such as courage, discipline, service, knowledge, leadership, devotion, and perseverance can be discussed.
From “What Do We Celebrate?” to “Why Do We Celebrate?”
One of the more interesting aspects of the programme is its emphasis on understanding the meaning behind festivals.
Throughout the year, students participate in celebrations including Rama Navami, Ugadi, Navaratri, Vijayadashami, Raksha Bandhan, Ganesh Chaturthi, Bonalu, Vasant Panchami, Gita Jayanti and Maha Shivaratri.
These occasions become learning experiences.
Rama Navami, for example, has included processions, pujas, Ramayana quizzes, and cultural activities. Ugadi has been connected with traditional practices such as rangoli, temple visits and seeking the blessings of parents. During Navaratri and Vijayadashami, students have participated in devotional songs, dances and presentations.
Raksha Bandhan has been used to discuss the broader idea of protection and responsibility, while International Yoga Day has provided an opportunity for children to learn yoga and meditation.
In other words, the festival is not treated merely as a day on the calendar. Children are encouraged to explore why the festival exists and what it represents.
That distinction can make cultural education far more meaningful.
Learning Through Participation
The Kendras also take learning outside the classroom.
Children have participated in processions, cultural programmes, pujas, homas, quizzes, yoga sessions, devotional singing and community celebrations.
In Telangana, students have taken part in celebrations associated with Shivaji Maharaj. In Assam, children have participated in Rama Navami activities and cultural programmes connected with Durga Puja and other occasions.
At some centres, children learn verses and devotional compositions by heart.
Students have learned portions of the Hanuman Chalisa, Lingashtakam, daily mantras, Aigiri Nandini and the Gayatri Mantra. Bhagavad Gita quizzes have also been organized, including one in Silchar involving 72 students from 11 government schools.
Such activities turn learning into something children can see, hear, recite, perform and experience.
And when learning becomes experience, it has a greater chance of becoming memory.
A Rapidly Growing Network
The growth of the Bala Samskar Kendra network has been notable.
GHHF began the initiative in October 2021 with Sunday schools in 35 locations across parts of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Within a few months, the programme had expanded to more than 100 villages and localities across several states.
By March 2022, GHHF reported approximately 120 locations and around 2,500 students. By May, that figure had risen to about 135 locations and 3,500 students. 
The initiative subsequently expanded beyond India’s borders. In January 2023, three Bala Samskar Kendras were launched in Bangladesh, with more than 100 students reported to be learning Bhagavad Gita verses and Vedic mantras.
The programme now describes a network of 175 schools serving approximately 4,500 children.
Behind those numbers, however, are individual classrooms, teachers, parents and children spending a few hours each week learning about a tradition that has developed over thousands of years.
            Part 2 will be posted soon.
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