First of all I pay homage to my Guru Swami Rama of the Himalayas by whose grace the Holistic Health workshops were completed successfully. Humble pranams to Swami VEDA Bharati our inspiration for this effort.

We were indeed fortunate that Swami Ritavan Bharati came to Pune and stayed with us – we consider ourselves blessed indeed. Mr. Ram Prakash senior student of the Gurukulam also came for the workshop and fulfilled his role admirably. The workshop comprised primarily of about an hour on the Joints and Glands exercises conducted by Mr. Ram Prakash followed by a short session on Pranayam and about 20- 30 minutes of meditation conducted by Swami Ritavan Bharati.

To start at the beginning-
26.3.10:  Arrival of Mr. Ram Prakash at 7 am and Swami Ritavan Bharati at 6 pm.

27.3.10:  At 11 am met with Dr. K.B.Grant the Managing Director and Mr. Bomi Bhote the CEO of Ruby Hall Clinic. Meeting of all those who helped in organizing the workshop at various venues with Swamiji between 3 and 5 pm – group meditation done, and a good interactive session followed.

28.3.10:  At 5.30 am our first session at the third floor terrace of Ruby Hall Clinic a 550 bedded hospital, the premier medical facility of Pune, only one accredited by the National Board of Hospitals. 55 people attended. This was followed by a trip to Allandi the Samadhi of Sant Gyaneshwar about 25 kms from Pune.

29.3.10: At 5.30 am the second session at RHC was conducted being a Monday the number was less about 45 people. In the evening a small group attended at home with Swamiji.

30.3.10: Last day at RHC a smaller group attended a group photo was taken at the end of the session.

31. 3.10: At 5.30 am at the Poona Club Room 21 about 50 people came for the workshop. A really good interactive session followed with loads of question and answers. A similar evening small group meditation conducted at home.

1.4.10: At 5.30am again at Poona club, about 40 people attended. Everyone was very appreciative. Both

 the Hon. Secretary Mr Shanti Sanghvi and Secretary Col. Jamwal attended and felicitated both Swamiji and Mr. Ram Prakash and organized breakfast at the club. At 11 am we were invited to the residence of Mr. Satish Mehta, owner of Emcure Pharmaceuticals. Mrs. Bhavana Mehta had organized a meet of about 30 women for a seminar sort of program not a workshop- Swamiji spoke explained the principle of the Himlayan Tradition and conducted a few pranayam exercises and meditation- was very much appreciated. Evening 5.30 pm saw us at Chowkhidani a Rajasthani park with restaurant and several rides – a bit of fun hosted by Mr. Harish Mehta.

2.4.10: At 7 am we were conducting a workshop for executives of Emcure  Pharmaceuticals in the Ballroom of St. Lauren’s Hotel Hinjewadi Pune. The workshop went well as there was no sound disturbance. This was followed by breakfast. At 11 am we were heading for Lonavala and really enjoyed the trip to the Kaivalyadham Yoga Ashram and what should we see in the bookshop a souvenir which had Swami Veda Bharati smiling at us!

3.4.10: At 5.30 am again- we were at the Maidan next to the Ganesh Temple Kalyani Nagar, to conduct our first public workshop nicely organized by local politician Mr. Ramesh Kamble. Nearly 80 people attended and the workshop went really well for by now we had become experts at presenting the salient features which distinguish our system from others and emphasizing the right points. At 4pm we were at the Bishops School Harding Hall to conduct yet another workshop for an NGO called Connecting people working for preventing suicides- 19 people attended. Too hot in the Hall but Swamiji conducted the Nadishodhanam in such a way that all cooled off!

4.4.10: Second day at the Ganesh Temple maidan Kalyani Nagar , our last workshop (a little sad and a little glad)- successfully completed good attendance, group photo and smiles all round. Swamiji left by the 6.30pm flight to Delhi, the festival was over and it was time to say good bye.

5.5.10: At 5pm even Mr. Ram Prakash left and the home is quiet now as I pen this report.

Conclusions

• A database has been formed of over 200 members who we could contact for future programs.
• A core group has been identified- Dr. Venkatramani the solid support thoughout, Mrs. Pratibha Mehta who helped throughout the event, Mrs. Namita Thappar, Mrs. Seema Mehrotra, Anil Malik.
• A proper package for the basic course has to be defined especially if the system has to be sold to the masses. A fee can be levied if the delegate has a concise curriculum.
• There would have to be a continuous back up of the Ashram for the centre when it gets formed with regard to resources. A proper Hindi speaking Guru is desperately required to impress the public at large (feedback received).
•  Leaflets, books, CDs of GOOD quality both audio and video would be required. There would have to be a profit margin for the centre to run expenses.

This has now to get translated into regular practice in Pune and the formation of a proper centre.

Experience is the best teacher and in the future more such events can be organized.

HARI OM
Dr. Shirin Venkatramani.

28th March-4th April 2010 in Pune, Maharashtra, India.