We Need Your Help!

Dear JET Youth members,

We need your help! At the moment we are trying to come up with a name for the newsletter that we are about to publish. So far, we have the name Yuva (it means youth in sanskrit) or Yuva Tarangini (Youth Speech/News). If you guys have any ideas, please post them in the comments below!

We are also trying to come up with a quote to represent our motto. We are working on making a finalized one but so far we have "hand in hand, together we can" as well as "JET Youth, a path to your destination and the fastest way to your dreams". It would be great to have your opinion on this and to also get new quote ideas (list them in the comments below!).

Model Peacock

Tarun Meruva from Plano, Texas created this majestic life-like statue of a peacock. The amount of detail is outstanding! To display your artwork throughout the nation, submit your work through the Contact Us page.

An Introduction to JET Youth

Om Asmad Gurubhyo Namaha! 
Jai Srimannarayana!

Pranams to the lotus feet of his holiness Sri Tridandi Srimannarayana Ramanuja Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji.

Swamiji, With your permission, JET Youth would like to present its plan for becoming a major component of extending your vision throughout the world.

Our Goal
The goal of JET Youth is to become a branch of JET like VT Seva and Prajna and progress towards becoming a venue for His Holiness Sri Swamiji to bring youth across the nation together to help make the world a better place.
There are many ideas that youth come up with but feel as if they do not have the power or the resources to put their brilliant plan into action. JET Youth would like to eliminate that thought from the minds of youth and become the branch of JET where youth can present their ideas and see them become a reality before their eyes.

Our Progression Plan
In its incipient stages, JET Youth plans to run a blog where articles would posted and we could start building up our group.
Currently there is a blog set up at jetyouth.blogspot.com. 
As the youth organization begins to grow and expand, we would like to have a page on the official jet usa website
With a page on the website, we would also like to create our own JET Youth website where the group could be more structured and formatted connecting with youth across the nation. 
For example, on the website there would be a form that youth members could fill out to 
submit an activity that they would like to see become a reality. The JET Youth Board 
members would review that request and provide help to the member if the request is 
approved.

Structure of the Group
As a branch of JET, JET youth would have its own board appointed by His Holiness Sri Swamiji.
Then in each chapter, there would be a youth head who would be chosen by the chapter.
The youth heads of each chapter would have a monthly call with the JET Youth board to  
discuss things that have been going on in their respective chapter as well as things they 
would like to see changed.
Youth heads of the chapter would also be responsible in working with their chapter to run 
youth events and activities with the help of the JET Youth board.
In short, the youth head would be the connection between the JET Youth Board and the youth 
in each chapter.

Ideas JET Youth Wants to Implement
Youth Newsletter
Website
App

Newsletter
The purpose of the newsletter is to connect JET Youth across the nation through a concrete platform where ideas would be spread, passion would be sparked, and much more
Ideas the Newsletter would contain:
A Column where youth could write about their experiences in JET overall as well as 
experiences in JET Youth.
Submitted creative writing and artwork pieces would also be displayed on the newsletter as  
a way to make it more fun. 
Physical artwork pieces would be auctioned off at a JET Youth run artwork auction to 
benefit the organization.
A progress bar which would track the amount of money JET Youth has raised towards its 
goals.
For example, the overall goal would be to reach $100, 000. Then the amount would be 
broken up to reflect how much of that amount is going where ($20, 000 towards JIVA, $60, 
000 towards cancer research, and $20, 000 towards distributing food to the homeless)
A calendar where major events taking place nationally as well as major events within 
chapters would be listed. Religious events and festivals taking place would also be included 
in this calendar. 
A section where one question submitted to the board would be answered by His Holiness Sri
Swamiji.
And much much more.

Website
Besides the page on the official JET website, we are planning to have our own website where we would elaborate to the public about our goals and function.
This website would include:
A calendar detailing events taking place throughout the nation.
A form where youth, affiliated with JET or not, could submit ideas which the JET Youth Board 
would review, ask permission to take on the task from His Holiness Sri Swamiji, and provide
assistance to the member who applied. 
Articles submitted on a form by members
Art work by students
A discussion forum
Polls to gather popular opinion on JET Youth work 
And more!

App
In the near future we are hoping to launch an app for the JET Youth branch coordinating with the makers of the Vishishta app.
This app will allow you to access Swamiji’s Pravachanams to the youth. Articles that are now present on the blog will be accessible on the app as well offline.

Youth Volunteering Ideas
Fundraiser with sporting events (Basketball, Soccer, Badminton,etc)
Theres a lot of walks to raise funds for people with disabilities, what if we had an event where people walked while experiencing these disabilities.
Food Drive
Those are just a few ideas. We are planning to have 50 events by next year.
We are also open to any new ideas which you can submit using a form on the website.

JET Youth,

a path to your destination

and the fastest way to your dreams

JET: A Life Changing Experience

Om Asmad Gurubho Namaha!

Jai Srimannarayana!

Born in India, but brought up in America, my life has been a mix of two very different cultures. It is easy to forget our roots and jump in with everyone else because we moved to a new country, but I think that one should be true to their roots as well as embrace the new culture with open arms. With the help of my parents, family, friends, teachers, and Acharya, I was able to have a healthy American life while still being a true Indian. This assimilation became easier with the help of three programs in particular: PRAJNA, JET USA (Jeeyar Educational Trust USA), and VT SEVA (Volunteering Together for Seva (Service)).

​Through PRAJNA, I learnt a lot about Vedic culture. We are taught Telugu in PRAJNA which lets us better communicate with friends and family in India, letting us uphold relationships which are a major part of Indian culture. In America, I see that many families are broken up due to various obstacles but through PRAJNA, I was taught that nothing should come in the way of relationships. That has improved my life tremendously. In PRAJNA, we are also taught the reason behind each festival and why we do certain things. I am grateful for this because I actually understand my culture better. Knowing why we do something and learning the importance of it entices people to remain true to their culture. PRAJNA also bestows the knowledge of slokas and more importantly, their meanings. When one knows the significance of chanting a sloka and is aware of the power it has, one will be more likely to repeat the sloka and gain benefit from it. Clearly, PRAJNA has taught me many things; some easily explainable with words, and others you just have to experience yourself. PRAJNA makes everyone feel like they are a kid in a candy store. Boxes of sweet knowledge are right there, easy to reach, and as soon as one box is over, you know there are plenty more to take its spot! 

​JET USA conducts many events and being a part of that enabled me to learn even more about our culture. These events consist of every festival that you could imagine celebrating from Goda Ranganatha Kalyanam all the way to Holi. Each event/pooja is done by an exceptional pundit very religiously and it brings us back to our spiritual roots.  Is there anything greater than performing the Lord’s marriage yourself? Another thing amazing about JET is that once you join, you are part of the JET family. My dad and his friend started the JET chapter in Tampa, FL and everyone there in the JET community is family to me now. It is great to know that although you might be living away from your family in India, your family of Bhagavad Bhandhus are always there for you. And it is not just your chapter where you have JET family, but across the nation and around the world! I remember when we moved to California, I thought I wouldn’t have many friends since I just moved, but as soon as we entered a JET California chapter, we were part of the family. Furthermore, it is a fact that performing any religious activity in a large group is far better than performing it yourself and the JET community enables everyone to do just that. JET events are also the place where people can exchange knowledge to improve the lives of everyone. Many JET events include the presence of our Achrya his holiness Sri Sri Sri Tridandi Srimannarayana Ramanuja Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji, who always bestows us with a tremendous amount of knowledge that we can always put into action to benefit ourselves and others. I can guarantee you that once you leave from any JET event; you will have learnt something new. JET USA taught me that you have to strive to respect everyone's beliefs, no matter what nationality and no matter what culture. JET has taught me many things and it is bound to teach me more. I like to think of it as the fuel to the never ending fire in every person to be true to their culture and samskaram. And although the thirst for knowledge can never be quenched, JET can keep you hydrated for a pretty long time.

​Through VT SEVA, I learnt that regardless of whom you are and what your background is, you are a citizen of the world and nobody can take that away from you. It taught me to help anyone and everyone in need. I learnt that you should be thankful for what you have and to make the best use of what you are given, and try to help others as well. Through VT SEVA I learnt that you don’t need much to be content because happiness comes when you share something, no matter how miniscule, with others.  One thing I learnt through VT SEVA is that one should always be energetic and jump at every opportunity to help others; a core human value. At VT SEVA we are taught to respect the sense of community highly and by being a part of a large community and by helping out as much as possible, I came to understand what community truly is. Volunteering through VT SEVA will surely change the perspective you have on life and maybe even help you lead a more content life as it has done for me.

​The things I learnt from PRAJNA enabled me to assimilate with American culture easier because I was taught that knowledge without action is a waste. Putting this concept into action, I achieved many leadership roles in my school and community and so much more. JET taught me that there is nothing better than the sense of community. Using this, I built strong ties with my American and Indian communities which led me to be a part of shaping the country in which I am living as well as the country that I was born in. The things I learnt from VT SEVA impact almost every aspect of my life because I was taught to keep my eye open for any opportunity to be of assistance. Through the knowledge I gained from VT SEVA, PRAJNA, and JET, I now understand that although life seems very complex, it can be broken down into simple pieces that can easily be deciphered. Clearly, each one of these programs has had their own impact on my life and has helped me mix American and Indian cultures in a healthy manner. I sincerely hope that everyone has a chance to be a part of at least one of these programs because I know firsthand that they will change your life.

Jai Srimannarayana!

An Experience of a Prajna Kid

Om Asmad Gurubho Namaha!

Jai Srimannarayana!

My name is Amruthansh Ramanuja Dasa, a Prajna student residing in Cary, North Carolina. You won’t believe how much Prajna has impacted my life. In Prajna, I was taught to always respect my Acharya and practice everything he preaches. So when he told me to constantly repeat the Dhvya Manthram in my head, you could bet that the Manthram was running through my mind all day every day; even during a tennis match just a few months ago! Without even realizing it, the Manthra kept my serve timing right helping me in making each one of my serves consistent! After this sudden realization, I took the time to notice how much I actually repeat the Manthram and I found out that I repeat that manthram basically all of the time! At first, I had to constantly remind myself to say it, but now it has become as ordinary as breathing to me. As this manthra became vital to my life, so did Prajna. I chant shlokas when I wake up, I repeat Gange: cha instead of singing pop songs in the shower, I pray before every time I eat, I fall asleep after recollecting everything that happened that day with a shloka, the examples are endless! But the most important thing I have learned from Prajna, aside from the fact that you should pray your parents, Acharyas, gurus, and god, is that knowledge without proper action is a waste. Prajna opened multiple doors for me because it made me understand that every bit of information I learn has some use to it, I just have to strive to find that use! With this new concept in mind, I created a computer science club in my school in which my friends and I help out our school by creating websites for faculty and staff, providing tech support when needed, and much more. Another thing Prajna taught me is to pay careful attention to everything around me because I can learn from everything that goes on, even ants! Prajna taught me that the thirst for knowledge can never be quenched, that life is only worthwhile when you live for others, that you can’t succeed unless you pray and put in hard work, that it is imperative to keep your mind, body and soul in good condition and help others do the same, and it is that same Prajna to whom I owe my life to for making me a responsible citizen of this world. Hopefully, everyone will get a chance to join Prajna and go through life changing experiences, just as it has done for me.

Jai Srimannarayana!

Overview

We welcome all Jet Youth to join us in the makings of the JetYouthNewsletter.

This will be the first newsletter of its kind to be published throughout the nation.

This newsletter is a work in progress so we would like you to attend the Youth Forums to discuss in further detail the scope of the newsletter project. Please look at the contact info page to submit any questions or concerns via email, text, or by calling.

Tentative Plan

What we need you to do?

All JET Youth pick a representative on behalf of your JET Chapter.
List out events that you have performed and write about them!
List out events that you would like to perform in the near future!

Anyone can post about an event, does not have to be a group leader.

Purpose

The goal of this newsletter is to unify all the JET youth chapters into one national, unified chapter. We would like to form something where there is easy communication with the youth of JET and where we all act is one huge organization to get things done more efficiently.

Through this newsletter, each chapter could learn from the experiences of each other, may it be good or bad. Say one chapter did a VT Seva event that was really successful. By writing about it and sending it to your local chapter leader, who would send it to the executive council, it would be published in this national newsletter that would enable all the other chapters to follow in those successful footsteps.