South America

Sao Paulo

A new Ananda Marga school was opened in Guarapiranga (Sao Paulo, Brazil) and the project is being funded by the local government. The Sao Paulo unit organized a vegetarian dinner to raise funds for social service activities and Dada Diipajinanananda was interviewed for a TV show, explaining how to practice yoga and meditation.

Six volunteers are now working on the nearby master unit, and one of the cows from the project got a third place prize in a regional competition.

Dada Arghyabodhananda is conducting training in Ananda Marga's spiritual and social philosophy and several margiis are attending his classes.

The Ananda Kiirtana school is running well, and margiis are also working as volunteers in a municipal school where they are introducing Ananda Marga's system of Neohumanistic education. Municipal teachers are impressed with this method and want to learn more about it.

Belo Horizonte

Dada Ranendrananda renovated the jagrti (yoga center) with the intention of starting new activities including yoga classes, yoga teachers training and cultural programs. Dada was also invited to address the association of yoga teachers in Minas Gerais. Dada gave a lecture attended by 50 yoga teachers and some of them plan to attend Ananda Marga teacher training courses. Dada also spoke at the University of Peace, giving a lecture on Indian spirituality.

Porto Alegre

Dada Hariprananda opened a new center in Tacuara, a small city near Algere and he will open another one in the nearby city of Gramado. A Prabhat Samgiita retreat and public lecture in a park were also held in Porto Alegre.

Brasilia

A regional retreat was organized by a committee of margiis working together with Dada Pranadiiptananda. The program was well attended and several participants received individual instruction in meditation. A university yoga club was started in the University of Brasilia and students are now participating in yoga classes and a study circle sponsored by the new club.

In the Brasilia jagriti, Dada Pranadiiptananda is conducting a teacher training course and yoga asanas classes. The number of participants at the weekly collective meditation in Brasilia continues to grow.

Cordova

A newly purchased Ananda Marga center is now open here. Yoga classes and a weekly collective meditation session are being held on a regular basis. This unit also runs a health food shop and a Master Unit (rural center) as well.

Oran

Didi Vikirna was interviewed by TV and radio stations and delivered a number of lectures. This unit of Ananda Marga also conducts weekly social service work, which includes the distribution of hot milk, bread and juice to needy people. Didi also gives free yoga classes.