HSS, Seattle

Seattle Sakhi Sammelan March 14 2009

Seattle HSS for the first time organized and conducted the Sakhi Sammelan, an exclusive event for women on March 14, 2009. The goal was to have an exclusive event for Hindu women. So, the program was open to public. Arranged for the first time in a short span and blessed with bad Seattle weather on that day, the turnout for the program was amazing - there were 60 participants. The event lasted for 4 hours from 1:30 to 5:30 pm, and in those four hours, the women undoubtedly had a great time enjoying a beautiful geeth, a relaxing yoga session, arts and crafts, games, and quiz and more, the program was an obvious success.

It started off at 1.15 pm at Bellevue Lake Hills Library hall. After registration, the event started at 1.40 pm with a melodious geeth conducted by Snehal ji. Following this was the yoga session, the favorite part for many women. Taken by Sunitha ji from the Art of Living Foundation, the session was designed to teach yoga to relieve stress and relax the body and mind. After the refreshing experience, the sevikas enthusiastically participated in the art and craft session conducted by Bothell Shakha, where five teams each had to create a logo and slogan on the theme Sakhi Sammelan. The winning picture would be used as the symbol for the next Sakhi Sammelan. There were excellent results; every group had great ideas that could not be ignored. It brought out lot of creative talents from women. Once the creativity had subsided, the ladies decided that it was time for fun. The group split into two to play games: the rigorous and more active ladies, and the women who decided to be more subtle. Needless to say, the entire body had a great time under the direction of Shruti ji, Sai ji, and Uma ji, playing various games such as “Kho-kho”, etc. At this point, the fun and excitement was so much that the ladies had to retire to their extreme necessity - break. With great timing, the Bellevue purush gana arrived with garam chai and cookies. For many, this was the greatest part of the event!

The ladies settled down after the break to listen to a very informative explanation on Women’s health from — Dr. Shailaja ji, a renowned doctor from Maple Valley. The group probably learned some vital information, which they normally ignore to pay attention. After digesting the valuable and helpful facts, the mahila proceeded to the next event of the program, quiz on Indian culture by Bellevue Shakha. Now, the prospect of tests would seem boring, but the group had immense fun in this event. Whoever heard of tests that had dumb charades and crossword puzzles? The competition between teams rose as the ladies enthusiastically acted out characters and scenarios from Ramayan and Mahabharat, guessed the names of great female role models, and raced to be the first to win. There were 5 teams Ganga , Durga, Meera, Thara and Kalpana and the Thara team won the competition and were excited to receive small gifts.

Finally, it was time for Boudhik and the group listened to the insightful speeches of the chief guest Subashini Vijay Santhanam and pramukh vakta Dr. Sai Patil ji. Both women imparted inspiring words that had a dramatic effect on everyone: with Subashini ji’s food for thought – necessity of self analysis for women, and Sai ji’s talk on the necessity of Hindu union and the role of women in this effort. It is appropriate to say that Sai ji’s profound talk took the mahilas who are attending shakha for a while to the next stage. 

Sakhi Sammelan officially ended with Dwajarohan and Prarthana.  The response/feedback to the program is so positive that - with no doubt, there are lots of demand for the next Sakhi Sammelan soon!