GFS and Radhanath Swami - an Ear to be Heard and Heart to be Loved!

Based on an interview with Ms. Meghana Vaidya, teacher at Gopal’s Fun School (GFS), Mumbai, India --

“Children pour their hearts out in GFS”, exclaims Ms. Meghana.

She clarifies - "Today most city children are born with a silver spoon in their mouth. From their early childhood they have the best of toys, gadgets, and sometimes even a car at their disposal. But the one thing they lack and hanker is a personal relationship.

In days of fast food, fast trains, fast bowlers, fast music, fast money!!! most of their parents have become fast runners in catching up with the pace in metropolis today. This leaves the parents with hardly any quality time to give an ear to the child’s everyday innocent incidents of delight and sorrow.

It is then that these children come to us (their teachers) to pour their hearts out. These times of sharing are one of the most deep sensitive moments that I experienced in GFS. GFS has given a platform to such children to share their feelings and thoughts wholeheartedly in the course of their sessions.

GFS and Radhanath Swami have given a re-start to my life!

Based on an interview with Mrs. Paulomi Mehta, teacher at Gopal’s Fun School (GFS), Mumbai, India --

“GFS and Radhanath Swami have given a re-start to my life!” exclaims Mrs. Paulomi Mehta. She elaborates: Although well-educated and active person by nature, now married with 2 children some where I had lost myself in the routines of life. Slowly and painfully, I started losing confidence in myself.

At that point of time GFS came as ray of hope to me. I got a platform now to express myself and share with the best audience (innocent children) all that I have learned hearing Radhanath Swami. In GFS it is a two way communication or rather two way education.

I share Vedic culture and different Vedic sciences (like Vedic Mathematics) with children and children in reciprocation have taught me simple values like simple love, simple faith, simplicity and much more.

Radhanath Swami - the Inspiration for the Establishment of GFS!

Based on an interview with Ms. Bhumika Shetty, student of Gopal’s Fun School (GFS), Mumbai, India --

Miss Bhumika Shetty shares: The best thing I like about Gopal’s Fun School is the presentation program. Presentation is a program at the end of each course where each participant of the course is given a platform to perform, based on the teachings of that course. GFS is the only place where each student gets to perform at the end of every course.  Thus being a student for past 4 years I had many opportunities to express my talents based on the teachings learned in GFS. I still remember the memorable days practicing drama dialogues, dance steps, synchronizing shloka recitation rhythms !!!

Little Krishna expresses her GFS joy, presented to her by Radhanath Swami!

Based on an interview with Ms. Krishna Thakkar, student of Gopal’s Fun School (GFS), Mumbai, India --

Miss Krishna Thakkar in her own words: “I've experienced many wonderful things after joining Gopal's Fun School. I won’t be able to write all of them but would like to share some of the best experiences with you.

First of all, now I've understood what true religion is and who the Supreme Lord is. My life has become very blissful now, as the Supreme Lord reciprocates my love. He doesn't give me what I want but He gives me what is best for me.

I learned many shlokas of Bhagavad-gita, which were taught to me by Radhanath Swami's students, HG Premnidhi Prabhu & HG Shubhvilas Prabhu. Also I learned about many beautiful pastimes of Sri Krsna narrated by sweet teachers of GFS. I also learned many skills such as craft & calligraphy. Currently I'm learning singing in GFS.

Little Janhvi thanks Radhanath Swami for adding an ecstatic flavor!

Based on an interview with Ms. Janhvi Padia, student of Gopal’s Fun School (GFS), Mumbai, India --

“All 7 years are memorable in GFS “, little Janhvi exclaims when asked about her most memorable event at GFS.

Her memories: “I thought shlokas (verses from Vedic Literature) were boring till the time I came to GFS and started loving shlokas so much that I have become a shloka addict! Now when I hear a recitation of shlokas, see a shloka I become delighted. Not only that, lately I realized memorizing shlokas has helped me to sharpen my intelligence and polished my pronunciations. And when I get to know the meaning these Sanskrit verses the chanting is no more a rote repetition but a meaningful offering. Now, I chant shlokas in my family functions, School’s Annual Day, GFS festivals.

Desire of a Saint - Radhanath Swami

Based on an interview with Mrs. Swati Deshmukh, Teacher at Gopal’s Fun School (GFS), Thane Satellite, Mumbai, India --

She shares - “Every Thursday a group of 8-12 children get together for learning the sloka’s (hymns) from Brahma Samhita (Vedic Literature). These sloka’s are spoken by Brahma glorifying the Supreme Absolute Truth.

As elders we emphasize/expect that our children should learn the sloka’s, understand and appreciate the meaning of them. The children are quick in learning, memorizing the sloka faster than the elders. They fulfill our expectations in this case but from bottom of my heart I am not very sure how eager are they for learning the sloka’s. Every Thursday when the children come, they recite all the sloka’s; learn the new sloka but they are eagerly waiting to hear the past times of Krishna which follows the sloka.