Hariharananda Balashram’s foundation day was celebrated on 29th July 2011. Preparations for the same had started few weeks before where people had engaged themselves in various activities. On the celebrated day, festivities began at 9:00 am. All the children, teachers, other Balashram staff and inmates of ashram gathered in front of the school for mass prayer and assembly. It was fresh atmosphere all round with lots of enthusiasm and hope, marking the arrival of new principal, honourable P.P. Singh, just two days ago.

Morning assembly was intended as a thanksgiving session from children to all the Balashram staff those are taking care of them. Initially sun was tough on children, later clouds cast shadows. Assembly started with usual school prayer. It was followed by short talk from principal. Some of the long term associates of Balashram family spoke on this occasion. It started with Bhakta pada guin (dada) followed by Sadhu charan rout and Malaya Budhia. Two caretakers, Dileep and Keeruti sang on this occasion. Rabi baba presented a wonderful poem thanking security guards, office assistants, cooks, care takers, construction supervisors, teachers, children and above all the divine gardener of this paradise. Finally, children displayed various fantastic human pyramids, which symbolically showed that Balashram is tightly coupled family.

After the sumptuous meal in the afternoon, with all the preparations just before the evening event, our chief guest arrived at around 5:15pm. They visited art and science exhibition from children before heading for the main event. Art and science exhibition was a wonderful treatise for aesthetics. Some of the pictures and science models prepared by children were just breathtaking.Main event of the day began with lighting of lamp from all the invited guests and respect to nation by singing national anthem.

Brn. Vibhuti welcomed all the guests and introduced the new principal to everyone after welcome song. Honourable principal P.P.Singh spoke briefly about his initial experience with Balashram and his vision for the future. Mrs. Sandyarani Dash read the annual report of Balashram followed by blessings speech from Mrs. Aradhana Mishra. Revered guest inspired children with his talk.

There were series of cultural programs after the prize distribution to various children for their distinct achievements. It started with a dance named “mangalacharan” which is symbolic invocation of God to receive blessings. It was followed by chorus song in Odiya. Children exhibited their skills on percussion instrument with a piece known as “Hands on Tabla”. Little flowers from kinder garden danced beautifully to a song which was actually a conversation with flowers. A solo song followed. Odiya play on the historical building of world famous sun temple at Konark. Emotions displayed in the drama mesmerized the audience.

There was a display of nine forms of divine mother durga by a classical odissi dance. A comedy skit of person planning to visit mars merged the audience in the wave of laughter. New age dance was displayed by younger children. It was followed by group dance which depicted love of gopis towards Lord Krishna. A short drama from English followed a solo song in odiya. Drama was named “Priceless age” in which children acted very well to bring out the human values of respecting elders. It was followed by a spectacular group dance based on the divine love of Sri Krishna and Radha. Programs were concluded by a short vote of thanks and shanti mantra.

Lot of visitors had come from far and near places to witness this festival of music and joy. They all enjoyed a good dinner too. Though teachers, children and others who worked for this program were exhausted, sense of achievement of good show kept shine in their eyes bright. Thus the celebrations on foundation day of Balashram and children would all live with strength and love.

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. Several older students spoke about the significance of the day.  Students in the junior classes sang patriotic songs for this occasion. After the celebration, sweets were distributed to all and the children

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. The children toured the park, where they were shown Royal Bengali Tigers; white tigers; lions; bears; bleu bulls; ostriches; emu; crocodiles; zebras and a variety of other animals. The teachers gave classes on each animal they visited.

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. Their audience was enthralled. Visitors from all of the world were highly impressed by the children’s artistic talent.

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. A 200 meter track was greeted with great enthusiasm by the children. More than 50 events, including various races, high and long jumps, discus, javelin, shot put, and throwing ball competitions were included. Standard 5 students faced a new challenge -- the 100 meter cycling race. Younger children participated in skipping races, potato sack races, musical chairs, a bunny hop, leap frog, balloon burst, and a variety of other events. This exciting event was both heartwarming and well organized through the hard work and effort of the Balashram team, including the principal, teachers, brahmacharis, brahmacharinis and staff caretakers. The opening ceremony was graced by the loving and inspirational company of Swami Shuddhanandaji. During the closing ceremony, winners in each sports event were honoured with medals and prizes. As a special surprise, Santa Claus visited the games and distributed gifts to all the children!

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! Those students that have not yet learned how to ride a bicycle are being given classes in the playground and sports field. Once these students have mastered cycling skills, they will join the others in off campus excursions.

On August 10, 2010 Hariharananda Charitable Health Center, managed by Prajnana Mission in Cuttack, inaugurated Village Health Project (VHP), opening up a charitable health center on the campus of Balashram for not only the student body and staff but the poor and needy of nearby villages. Previously, very little existed for the local needy and a minimum of a one to three hour journey was required to receive any medical assistance. On the first day of its inauguration 132 patients were treated and given free medicine.

Initially the facility will be open every Wednesday. Free treatment & medicine, ambulance service and Health Awareness educational programs will be provided to patients by the doctors and the pharmaceutical staff of the health center. Eventually, in addition to the above health care provisions, facilities for pathological examinations, immunisation programs and mobile health care services for the underprivileged in nearby villages will also be provided free of cost. As funding becomes available, the location of the health center will be moved into its own building and will open twenty fours hours a day.

On July 29th, 2010 Hariharananda Balashram celebrated its 6th Blessings Day Ceremony with honorary guest, Dr. Pranabandhu Tripathy, Former Joint Secretary of the University Grant Commission of New Delhi.

Principal Suresh Kumar Nayak welcomed all to the ceremony. Sandhya Rani Dash, on behalf of the teachers, gave the Blessings Address while Aradhana Mishra gave the annual report. Several students including fifth grader Om Prakash, fourth grader Pravasini, third grader Sasmita and second grader Anil did a wonderful job articulating their personal experiences at Balashram. All shared firsthand how blessed they felt to be receiving such a comprehensive education -- formerly something they could never have dreamed possible.

Honorary guest, Dr. Tripathy expressed his happiness over seeing the students of Balashram receiving all of the necessary ingredients for right education and growth and beamed over their overall level of happiness. He was also impressed with the way the children expressed their experiences so candidly. Commenting that neither the state government nor the federal government was providing the exceptional form of educational system that Balashram had in place. He then blessed the children with bright futures and beneficial careers.

The children then performed a beautiful cultural program consisting of song, dance and theater. Academic and sports prizes were then distributed. Fifth grader Subrat and third grader Chaney won Best Boy and Best Girl respectively. Apasmita Biswal then concluded the program. All guests remained for a celebratory dinner.

Since the start of the new academic year, teachers have been partaking in weekly advancement training seminars. Topics have included:

1. Rules and Regulations of Hariharananda Balashram by Suresh Kumar Nayak
2. The Art of the Seminar by Suresh Kumar Nayak
3. Environmental Pollution by Mrs. Apasmita Biswal.
4. Teaching English Grammar by Aradhana Mishra
5. Telecommunications by Sandhya Rani Dash
6. Oriyan Literature & Prose by Sasmita Mohapatra
7. Physical Education & Sports Policy for Hariharananda Balashram by Ambika Mohanty
8. Early Childhood Care & Education by Sanghamita Biswal
9. Instructional Strategies for Teaching English as a Second Language by Supavitra Biswal
10. Play & Activity Methodology Teaching by Sunapratima Sarangi

All students received and passed comprehensive, academic exams this past April and June. In addition, the students actively participated in handwriting, painting, singing, creative writing and Rangoli competitions. Results were commendable and released in the 3rd issue of Prajna Dipika this past May.