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This is a long lost interview from the August of 2005 around the time Didi departed from CIRS, wherein we asked her a few questions, read on to see what Didi has to say...
> (1) How did i feel being at cirs for 9 years?
I was sent by Guruji to cirs initially only for 2 months. Then it became 5 months and then 2 years and then it seemed unending.
From the beginning till the end of my 9 years at CIRS, I felt very responsible towards the children and the school. CIRS being Gurudev’s dream child, I knew there was a special purpose for all who came to CIRS. Therefore I had to first understand HIS vision behind this Movement and then live up to it to set an example. I benefited the most in the whole process. From the children I learnt to remain ‘new and fresh’. It was a great learning period.
At CIRS I realised the importance of parenting and learnt that we tend to repeat the same what we experience in our childhood with little modifications. This understanding kept me always alert while playing the role of ‘Didi’ at CIRS. The morning classes, arati, Value Education sessions, festival celebrations, dramas, dances, quizzes, personal talks, dining hall and dorm visits etc., were all demonstration of the same.
There were times I wanted to give up playing this role of ‘Spiritual Guide’ for I felt strained by the role of continuous mothering and policing. At times this role was a little bit suffocating. But Gurudev’s love and sense of duty kept me going. ‘If He has accepted me as I am, why can’t I accept them as they are’? I would be reminded of what Gurudev said ‘It’s God now and here or no-where’. I learnt to find my God in the very place I was and in the work I was doing. The meaning of true love: ‘love not because of… but in spite of..’, was becoming clearer.
(Have removed the above line as it is too emotionally charged – if you feel the need for you may retain it - it is up to you). I learnt that everything has its own time and transformations don’t happen overnight. I was reminded of Gurudev saying ‘Hasten slowly’.
I remember distinctly a parent once asking me: ‘So do you claim that your CIRS children will never fall’ and I said ‘No, not that they will never fall but I am sure that they will never remain there. They will bounce back’.
In 9 years at CIRS I have learnt to trust God and goodness in mankind. Nothing good goes in vain. Once the transformation starts by His divine will, the journey has begun and progress has to happen naturally – there is no stopping..
> (2) what did i feel when I was leaving?
I knew I had to leave as my work at CIRS was over. Leaving therefore was neither a surprise nor a sad
experience. I have left behind the buildings of CIRS alone at Coimbatore. But the CIRS family is spread
world wide and their love shall ever remain with me.
> (3) a message for all our alumni out there..
You are all the blessed and worthy ones for you have been shown the goal of life, the path to reach there, the obstacles that you may encounter and the ways to overcome them. Now, it is up to you to live up to your convictions. Make a right choice always. Never fall short of efforts and give up too soon. I know you all will do your best. I will always be proud of you all - the Chinmaya children (For me you all will remain children).
You can contact Didi on: sumatichaitanya[AT]hotmail.com At present she is in London, United Kingdom.
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