ST. LOUIS: Center for Indian Cultural Education, Bal Vihar celebrated its 16th Annual graduation day at Mahatma Gandhi Center located in Manchester, MO last week in the presence of 400 attendees, including 192 registered school students, advisory committee members. Nineteen students were awarded graduation certificates for their completing Bal Vihar school requirements. A special award was given to Shakya Vemar for her outstanding performance in the school.

This annual event was successfully organized by its youth group students ages 12+ years under guidance of their Youth coordinators Dr Hamsa Subramanian and Dr Ashok Kumar. The key event coordinator was Advait Kulkarni, The attendees were welcome by Dr Sudhir Brahmbhatt, founder and President of Bal Vihar, a non profit entity serving the community since 1992.

In a message to the graduating and attending children, he pointed out that "you have a unique culture, Hindu culture, a culture of love, respect, honoring others, and humbling one's own ego so that the inner nature which is naturally pure and modest will shine forth." He also said that one could legitimately take pride of Indian heritage since India has been first in many respects.

With the current enrollment of more than 192 students from ages 5 through 12 years, as many as 1500 students have gone through the school over the last fourteen years. Its volunteer staff consists of 40 teaching professionals who have a keen interest in maintaining culture in their children, and 11 administration staff.

The school meets every other Sunday at Ballwin Elementary School, Ballwin, throughout the school year.The students are exposed to a wide variety of cultural and Asian religion aspects including meditation techniques, Yoga and Indian festivals. Children participate in the community awareness programs such as visiting local hospital and giving handmade items to patients, collecting and offering food to the needy in the St. Louis area and conducting activities for senior citizens etc.