A YEAR OF SWABODHSAAR

The SWABODH SATSANG SEVA PARIVAR was founded on auspicious occasion of GEETA JAYANTI, MARGASHEERRSHA SHUDHA 11, SHAKA 1929 i.e. on 20th December 2007. The PARIVAR is association of persons for common interests. I am the convener. My stints with Writing (including poetry), Speech, Music, Drawing & painting, Social work gave me the inspiration. I tread various fields sometimes one at a time sometimes many at a time. Sometimes I was / am alone sometimes with group. Even with group it would not be same people everywhere. The idea was to find a group which will share all my interests and could be mutually beneficial. On the day of inauguration I presented a discourse on the 2nd chapter of BHAGAVADGEETA. I was more than happy to have audience of 35 / 40 persons. Future course was chalked by general consensus. EKADASHI was fixed as the day of meeting. The PARIVAR is religiously following the decision. Not a single EKADASHI is missed since then. It was never my idea to make it a platform for me alone. Many people are invited to give discourses. We try to bring variety by conducting mixed and well rotated programs like PRAVACHAN, KIRTAN, BHAJAN, PAISAMVAD CLASSICAL MUSIC CONCERT etc. After having run the PARIVAR for over a year, idea was mooted for having a publication. That is how SWABODHSAAR was born.

The first issue of the first year came for the period CHAITRA-VAISHAKH, SHAKA 1931. SWABODHSAAR is bi monthly magazine created as mouth piece of PARIVAR No one was sure about consistency when first issue was brought out. It gives now satisfaction that six issues of the first year were brought out on time. The average size of issue is 40 pages. Battery of writers is contributing regularly. The magazine has various serials, regular features, poetry etc. Major contribution comes from me but still it is less than half of total volume. We try to be topical by including articles on the occasions like Independence day and subjects like economics etc.

The first issue of second years of SWABODHSAAR was published in last week. Attempt is made to make it bi-lingual in Marathi & English. All English language articles in this issue are taken from this blog and of course not restricted to Philosophy and scriptures. Invitation is open for regular + new contributors for articles in English. Now I can claim that the magazine is stabilized. A web site http://www.swabodhparivar.org/ is launched on GUDI PADAVA, although it is being fully functional. The covers of all back issues can be found over there.

The magazine is circulated amongst libraries from Thane district and neighboring districts. Initially I was skeptical about response. Now response has started coming from places like VASAI, PUNE etc. This is sure to boost the moral. I would here like to assure and pledge the continuous publication. In addition some books, C.D.s are also planned. God is great. He wills we will do it.

Arvind Khare
Khare_am@yahoo.com
9820701210