The Hindu (India): Exotic? You Bet. Free? Oh, Yes (Excerpt)

May 22, 2003

[...] With a distinct Chinese flavour. Falun Gong, the spiritual exercise banned in its homeland China, is today flourishing in the most unlikely of places, Bangalore. The movement has established itself in one of Bangalore's schools, where some students and teachers believe that practising Falun Gong has brought in better report cards and has made the children physically and mentally healthier.

The Bapu Composite PUC College in Yeshwantpur has earned the distinction of being the only school in Karnataka - probably the only one in the country, according to the school principal - to train its students in Falun Gong, now gaining a foothold in some of the major Indian cities. "I am not the one to reject new things. If it benefits our students, then why not include it in the curriculum?" asks N. Kamalamma, principal of the college. She claims that students have shown improvement ever since Falun Gong was introduced. "Their academic results have gone up and even their behaviour has shown improvement," she says.

Falun Gong was introduced in Bangalore in 2001 by Janice Cheung, a Singaporean IT professional. But the college's association with the practice goes back to the year before, when Lalita Bai, a sociology lecturer at the college, was introduced to Falun Gong while on a personal trip to Singapore. "Since I benefited tremendously from it, I thought it would be also beneficial for the students to practise Falun Gong," remarks Ms. Bai. "I feel really energised after exercising. While meditating, I feel a divine energy rotate with great force around my palm for a few seconds."

Back from her trip, Ms. Bai, with help from a few other Falun Gong followers, got Ms. Cheung to introduce the practice to the students.

Today, primary and high school students at Bapu Composite College grapple with Falun Dafa exercises where one has to move his or her arms gracefully around the body. It's like as if they were weaving an enormous invisible net around themselves with the poise and precision of a ballerina. Some claim it has worked wonders for them. "Falun Gong has benefited me tremendously. I can concentrate better and my marks have gone up," says Bhavani R.K., a ninth grader. "Something happens to my body while exercising. It's as if I am floating," she exclaims.

Her friends agree. "I feel very fresh and energised after a Falun Gong session," says Sharada P. Some even claim that their parents and neighbours have joined them too.

The students have to - it's mandatory - spend about two hours every week doing the exercises. College authorities maintain there have been no objection so far from either parents or students.

"Our children are very obedient. In fact, they are fond of Falun Gong," remarks Ms. Bai.

But why Falun Gong? "It's a lot easier than other exercises and not very elaborate like yoga," replies Ms. Kamalamma, a dedicated yoga practitioner herself. "Moreover, you don't need much space," she adds. She, however, maintains that her decision to introduce Falun Gong was not influenced in any way by the fact that Falun Gong is taught free of charge by its [practitioners]. "No, definitely not because it is free. Thousands of children are involved in it," she says.

[...]

FALUN GONG or Falun Dafa is a Chinese cultivation practice that [follows] principles of truth, compassion, and forbearance. Founded by Li Hongzhi in 1992, it consists of five sets of exercises meant to be an accelerated path for reaching good health and higher spiritual attainment.

[...] The Chinese Government, alarmed at its immense following, banned the movement in 1999 [...] Falun Gong practitioners maintain that they are a peaceful, law-abiding group, following a philosophy and regime of exercises that lead to spiritual enlightenment and improvement of health.

[...]

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