Two students attending Tirthankar Mahavir Vidya Mandir (TMVM) school in Palitana presented their experiences at the Veerayatan schools programme held in Pune. Here is their speech:
Disha: My humble obeisance at the feet of Pujya Padmashri Tai Ma and the Sadhvis and Pranam to all the honourable guests here today. My name is Disha. I study in the seventh grade at Tirthankara Mahavir Vidya Mandir, Palitana.
From Bhagwan Rishabhdev’s time until now, millions of holy souls have walked on this pious land! I have heard that there are about 1000 temples in Palitana. But to tell you the truth, there is no temple as unique as our Tirthankara Mahavir Vidya Mandir. Why? Because in this temple, living idols are sculpted; in this temple, the character of every child is shaped; in this temple, an effort is made to make every life divine. Here neither caste nor religion is a consideration.
A few years back, the divine blessings of Pujya Tai Ma were bestowed upon us children. And she decided to build a unique school in Palitana, Tirthankar Mahavir Vidya Mandir. Lives of hundreds of children like me changed. Pujya Tai Ma’s amazing vision was: ‘Where there is temple, there must be a school’. There are other schools in the area but with pride I can say that there is no other school like Veerayatan’s which imparts the values of an excellent and moral life along with education.
Granthi: Today we study at the Veerayatan School with all modern resources; we learn English, Sanskrit, Hindi, science, computing, music, dance, karate and arts and craft. We do sports; we celebrate festivals with great splendour. Along with studies, we also learn how to protect the environment, animals and birds. Our Pujya Tai Ma says, 'We should be friendly with every person, have compassion towards every living being, have respect and gratitude towards parents and teachers. Then, life will be full of happiness and joy. And if every person lives such a life, then this whole world can be full of love and compassion.' This message of Pujya Tai Ma if imbibed will mean no war in the world; no child will be deprived of education and food; no tears in anyone's eyes; and there will be peace everywhere. This teaching of Pujya Tai Ma is our mantra.
Disha: Whatever touches the philosopher’s stone turns into gold. Similarly, when we get a Guru like Pujya Tai Ma in life, many lives are illuminated. Many children who come to Veerayatan’s school are from very challenging backgrounds. They need happiness in life and hope for a better future. In today's times, there is a great need for schools based on an ideology like that practiced in Veerayatan schools. Pujya Tai Ma, with your blessings, we can become good citizens and bring glory to Veerayatan! I invite everyone here today to come to our holy land of Palitana and bless us so that, with your support, we will bring fresh enthusiasm and light in the lives of all the children.
