Extra-Curricular Activities
Theatre Performances
The children’s artistic and creative talent comes alive at the many theatre performances conducted each year. Confidence, courage and self-expression are developed as students perform beautiful scenes from the great Indian epics such as Mahabharata and Ramayana, as well as Christmas stories, Hindu mythology and their own original works. Below are highlights from a few of the many colorful performances conducted by the children at Hariharananda Balashram:
Blessings Day 2009
On July 29 each year, all members of the school celebrate the founding of Hariharananda Balshram with Blessings Day. The children prepare special performances to entertain the audiences of visiting dignitaries and friends, and to share the school accomplishments with each other. A strong sense of team spirit and school pride is felt on this day. On Foundation Day 2009, a beautifully choreographed original dance performance was one of the many highlights of the evening. Other original works, written and performed by students and faculty, entertained a smiling audience and were filled with humor and fun. Teachers reported on various activities of the previous year and students were awarded many certificates of achievement.
Field Trips
Field trips are conducted annually in December or January to offer the children an opportunity to visit popular sites in Orissa. Three to four day study tours to historical monuments, the airport, the zoo, the sea beach and other sightseeing places are wonderful opportunities to broaden awareness and have fun. Students are encouraged to write in a journal and draw pictures about their experiences and impressions.
Television
Hariharananda Balashram has a few televisions and allows children to watch educational films, documentaries, inspirational stories and news. Viewing of television is generally limited to a short period in the evening or on Sundays.
Societies and Clubs
Students participate in inter-school meets and children’s festivals. The school also intends to establish Boys Scouts and Girl Guides Programs, N.C.C., and Red Cross units to promote volunteerism and a sense of service in students.
On January 26th, the entire student body of Balashram took part in a parade to honor the national recognition of Indian law. Marching to the rhythm of drumbeats, a flag was hoisted by the chief guest, Shri Abhimanyu Padhihari, who is the Block Regional Centre Coordinator SSA. 
140 students in standards 1 through 3 traveled to the zoological park, Nandankanan, for their annual field trip. They were accompanied by their principal, 8 teachers, 9 caretakers, 2 brahmacharis and 2 brahmacharinis. 
On Jannuary 15th, children from standards 3, 4 and 5 traveled to Puri in order to perform at the International Kriya Yoga Seminar. For more than two hours the children, dressed in beautiful Indian dance costumes, demonstrated their talent in dance, singing and tabla playing. 
On December 27th and 28th, the Balashram students had the opportunity to demonstrate their sports skills during the 6th Balashram Annual Games. For this event, the field in front of the cowshed was transformed into a beautiful sports arena for track and field competitions. 
Cycling began in a response to a private donation of 20 new bicycles. As a result, it has been added to the weekend and holiday schedule of Standard 5 students. This is the first time that the children of Balashram are involved in an activity off campus. The students are extremely enthusiastic about this new sport!
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Hariharananda Charitable Health Centre.flv