Qui sotto è riportato un
articolo, con numerose fotografie, relativo alla recente visita della Regina di
Inghilterra alla Sathya Sai School di Harrow, U.K.
La Sathya Sai School di Harrow è una scuola settimanale per 500 bambini che
fornisce istruzione basata sul programma "Educazione ai Valori Umani"
fondato da Sri Sathya Sai Baba.
La Sathya Sai School di Harrow aveva già partecipato alle Celebrazioni del
Giubileo d'Oro in presenza di Sua Maestà la Regina di Inghilterra
e fu finalista nel "Queen's Award 2003" per il suo contributo al servizio della
comunità.
Her Majesty the Queen is
briefed about the Sai Education Programme
April 2004
Sai School of Harrow, one of the most popular
weekend Schools in United Kingdom which delivers the Sai Education programme to
500 pupils on Saturday mornings was selected to perform for Her Majesty the
Queen on her recent visit to Harrow to celebrate this famous Borough’s 50th
Anniversary as a recognised London Borough.
After discussions with the Local Council on the image our Monarch should get
from our Organisation, the five human values were at the top of the agenda
followed by two dances embracing the eastern and western cultures.
In June 2002, Sai School had also performed for the Queens Golden Jubilee
Celebrations so they were delighted to be invited again.
In February 2004, the lucky pupils who were selected to perform started rigorous
rehearsals to ensure their items were “fit for the Queen”. A Sai devotee who is
lovingly referred to as Major Billy because of his army career was summoned to
train young boys to march to our national anthem. The famous music by Elgar,
Land of Hope and Glory was selected for the Union Jack Dance and Vande Mataram
version from the hit film K3G was the choice for the Indian dance.
Security was of paramount importance as we would be in close with Her Majesty
and each child and teacher accompanying had to provide personal identities prior
to the event.
On 1st April 2004, Sai School volunteers arrived at the Harrow Town Centre by
6.30am in the morning to decorate our open canopied area, and the area was
flooded with army officers and security chaps ensuring safety for the Monarch
and all the citizens who would turn out to welcome her. Metal rails were put up
so that royal fans could stand behind the rails, whilst the participants were
given central aisles where Her Majesty would come for a walk about and watch the
items.
The four schools participating had to be in place by 11.00am and start
entertaining the crowds and have warm up sessions before the royal entourage
arrived at 12.00noon. As the Sai School participants entered the town centre in
a procession with our Love All, Serve All Banner with young boys holding value
banners, girls in union jack hats and the Indian dancers, the crowds broke into
huge applause and we could hear the cameras clicking and the excitement building
up.
At 11.15 am Sai School pupils started entertaining the large crowds that had
gathered, continuously dancing with our young boys marching round the town
centre with the human value banners. A low flying helicopter was heard at five
minutes to twelve and a police officer informed us that the royal limousine had
just pulled into the town centre, and she would soon be here.
Nerves, excitement, adrenalin began to flow and most of us thought of Swami at
that point and how everyone feels as He steps out.
Would the Queen approach us, would she stop to talk to us, will she take notice,
will she walk on this side or that side? As we were in a secluded area, we saw
her from a distance and before we knew it, one of the most famous faces in the
world was smiling at our little boys holding the value banners and saluting her,
“You are from Sai School,” she beamed. All the eleven boys saluted her and she
read the five values.
“Should we all bow to Her Majesty,” commanded their teacher. All the boys did
the perfect bow and the Mayor then introduced the Head Teacher to Her Majesty
who was very interested in the School and its activities. The Headmistress
briefed the monarch on their education programme, the success it brings to the
pupils and the community as a whole. She had practised to curtsey for a whole
week praying that she would get the opportunity this time, as due to the crowds
during the Golden Jubilee, it was impossible to get too close, and graciously
Her Majesty allowed her to do a full curtsey, before moving on to watch our
other two items.
She watched the Union Jack dance and stopped to talk to the pupils, then moved
on to watch our Vande Mataram dance and seemed mesmerised by their colourful
costumes, jewellery and dance movements.
As she climbed the steps to pull the curtain and officially open the plaque of
Harrow 50th celebrations, our pupils stood around the royal entourage and before
they were whisked off, the Duke of Edinburgh stopped to talk to some of the
pupils. There was so much cheering and applause, and we all waved until the plum
coloured limousine finally disappeared from our sight.
What impressed everyone most was how warm, humble and soft spoken HRH was, she
made each one of us feel very special and it will be a day to remember for the
rest of our lives.
Please see the attached photos so you can share our special moments with us.
If you want to find out more about Sai School of Harrow, please log onto
http://www.saischool.com
Sent by: Ranu Mehta-Radia, On behalf of Sai
School of Harrow
|
Bhajans |
Insegnamenti |
Racconti |
Pensieri quotidiani
|
Libri |
Links |
Chat
| Forum
