Yuva Bharati - December 2009

Vol.37 No.5 Margashirsh-Paush 5111 December 2009

Editorial

P.Parameswaran 2

VIVEKANANDA KENDRA SAMACHAR-HIGHLIGHTS OF THE YEAR 2008-09

Vivekananda Kendra Institute of Culture Guwahati

23

Vivekananda Kendra Arun Jyoti Project Arunachal Pradesh 24 Vivekananda Kendra International New Delhi 28 Vivekananda Kendra Vedic Vision Foundation, Kodungallur 29 Vivekananda Kendra Natural Resources Development Project

V.Senthil Kumar

29 30 34

Vivekananda Kendra Rural Development Programs An Appeal

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Vivekananda Kendra Samachar 2008-09

Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam

(Manava Dharma or Market Forces? – The Choice for Mankind)

sublime thought has been coming down from very ancient times and gathering momentum for centuries together from this sacred land of Bharat. It was not just a thought but an idea that was practised in every day life till it became a culture and a civilisation. The thought has been beautifully described by the sage who is also a poet in the famous Sanskrit Subhashita – “Ayam nija paraiveti, Gananaa laghu chetasaam, U d a a r a c h a r i t a a n a m t u , Va s u d h a i v a kutumbakam” – Men with narrow vision divide the world into mine and thine whereas the noble hearted look upon the world as one single family – one's homestead. This was not just a poet's fancy. But the result of an intense realisation of the Ultimate Truth – Sarvam Khalvidam Brahma – All that exists is only Brahma. The entire universe is an expression of that truth, one expressing as the many. The entire history of India has been an attempt to express this experience in the day-today life of every individual and the society. Variety and diversity of course were there but, at the base, there was unity as well. Hence the dictum – unity in diversity. This was reflected in every aspect of life right from the personal to the national level. But, our far seeing and adventurous fore fathers did not confine this wonderful experience within the frontiers of Bharat. Their love and concern for humanity was so intense that it took them to the farthest quarters of the world. The message of unity was spread through practice and example and the history of the world bears a testimony of

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A

the fact that the imprint of Indian cultural ambassadors is visible in every part of the world, felt and seen. That was probably the most sublime period of Indian history. Researchers who are committed only to truth have discovered through dedicated study that even the western civilisations like the Greek and Roman, the languages like Greek and Latin had their original home in India and gradually spread across the continents and reached those distant lands. It was not through military conquest but through the gradual spread of a vibrant culture. But later on, the colonial conquerors from the west made history stand on its head and propagated that the Indian culture and civilisation were brought to this country by the invading alien conquerors. But, let us leave the conquerors alone, because the truth is slowly but surely emerging victorious and it is bound to establish itself on its own strength and validity. After the great imperial days of Greece and Rome, the west sank into the darkness of the middle ages shutting itself out from the rest of the world. Finally when it woke up on account of the shock of a renaissant Greek culture and started looking outward spurred by the fervour of Christian missionary zeal and also by the ambitions of imperial conquest. The countries of Europe started on a series of invasions subjugating the continents of Asia and Africa. There was a systematic attempt to demolish and destroy ancient and peaceful civilisations, existing in those

parts of the world. The devastations caused by these conquerors are writ large across the continents. The basic cause of this kind of colonial invasions is the world view which inspired them through their sectarian and intolerant religious texts. It was totally in conflict with the Bharatiya world view of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam. The motivation of the colonisers from the west was trade and religion. The means they employed was conquest through military power, through cunning and deceit. The last three to four centuries – the so called modern history – is replete with instances of such treacherous and unprincipled conquest and annexation of territories and people by an alien civilisation. The logic of this world view, when put into practice, has inevitably led to the present situation, where the west is dominating the world with the slogan – the Global Market. Through military power, through organised evangelisation, through economic exploitation and through intellectual manipulation, the west has established its domination over the rest of the world. The world has been converted into a global market which implies the operation of all the market forces with its dire consequences under which not only the rest of the world but even the west is now reeling. World as one family and world as a market are the two poles around which the humanity stands polarised. Home and market have widely different laws – not only different but actually conflicting. The law that governs the home is love whereas the market is driven by the law of cunning and competition. Home is built upon identity of feelings whereas the market is built upon conflicting interests. The former seeks peace whereas the later seeks profit. Home is founded on spiritual values whereas market knows only material values. Mutual cooperation is the basis of family. Mutual exploitation is the recognised policy that sustains the market. Market promotes vulgar consumerism whereas home promotes restrained and value

based consumption. The big question that faces humanity is – which of the two is the ideal to be followed, the world view to be accepted, the way of life to be followed. The western experiment has been tried and is found wanting and inadequate to sustain a peaceful and prosperous world order. Humanity is at cross roads. As many great thinkers even from the west, like Arnold Toynbee have unambiguously pointed out, it is only the eastern way that can bring about peace and harmony and ensure the survival of human species on this mother earth. The choice today is between “Manava Dharma” and “Market forces”, between a global family and a global market. In this, the vision of India is very clear. It has been strongly and powerfully expounded by all our renaissance leaders – a galaxy of them – the most representative being Swami Vivekananda. More than 100 years ago, he put it most emphatically – “the whole of the west is standing on a peak of a volcano. It will burst within 50 years. What will save the west is the message of the Upanishads”. This prophet's message unfortunately was not taken seriously and the volcano has been erupting time and again. Honest thinkers from the west have been expressing their frustration. Eleanor Stark has expressed this disappointment in the famous book “The gift unopened”. The author wrote – “Columbus discovered the soil of America. Swami Vivekananda discovered the soul of America”. Swami Vivekananda himself at the end of his “Paper on Hinduism” presented at the parliament of religions explained beautifully what he meant by the soul of America. – “Hail, Columbia, motherland of liberty! It has been given to thee, who never dipped her hand in her neighbour's blood, who never found out that the shortest way of becoming rich was by robbing one's neighbours, it has been given to thee to march at the vanguard of civilization with the flag of h a r m o n y. " ( C o m p l e t e Wo r k s S w a m i VivekanandaVol-1 Page 20). But then history of the

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world took a different turn with world wars both cold and hot. America the liberator, herself became the predator of weaker nations. Instead of upholding the virtues of protecting and promoting democracy and human rights she herself started supporting and sustaining authoritarian regimes and military juntas. In place of religious tolerance and cultural pluralism, America herself became the biggest promoter of evangelisation and also creators of Jihadi fundamentalism. With evangelisation and marketisation and also religious fundamentalism and terrorism raising

their ugly heads, creating chaos and confusion, the humanity is struggling to find a ray of hope at an alternate way of life. It is here in this crucial hour that India has to play her decisive role and assert that it is “Manava Dharma” and not “Market forces” that would lead mankind to its glorious destiny. But, for this, India has to set a model which the world could emulate. That is precisely the need of the hour. P. Parameswaran President Vivekananda Kendra

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An Overview

monthly medical camps sponsored by individuals, banks and business establishments, benefited people living in and around Kanyakumari, besides the staff and pilgrims staying in our lodge. All Vivekananda Kendra Vidyalayas have performed well as seen from the results in the public examinations. Vivekananda Kendra Arun Jyoti Project in Arunachal Pradesh helped the people to come together to work for the common cause of their development. Vivekananda Kendra Institute of Culture, Guwahati, with branches in Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya provided a forum to the elite and the common folk to exchange their views on their traditional customs and practices for their preservation. On 24 December 2008, Kendra has signed a MOU with Bharat Oman Refineries Ltd., for administration of a 35-bedded hospital at Bina in Madhya Pradesh on the lines of VK NRL Hospital. Vivekananda Kendra Rural Development Programs in Southern Tamil Nadu and Vivekananda Kendra Natural Resources Development Project continued their useful work with the patronage of government agencies and public support. Now for the details:

The world is one large family - Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam – is the dictum of this country from time immemorial. Swami Vivekananda in all his sayings repeatedly pointed out its absolute relevance which alone would lead to universal b ro t h e rh o o d a n d p e a c e . M a n a n e e y a P. Parameswaranji, President, Vivekananda Kendra, Kanyakumari, in his editorial has stressed this as all Kendra activities of Vivekananda Kendra are based on this. Vivekananda Kendra, Kanyakumari, since its inception in 1972, has been successfully following these principles in all its activities. The following report covering the period from April 2008 to March 2009 will speak for itself. Vivekananda Rock Memorial continued to be the main attraction for the visitors to Kanyakumari. The accommodation at Vivekanandapuram was well patronized and many organizations made use of it for their meetings. The dispensary and the

01. 02. 03. 04. 05. 06. 07. 08. 09. 10.

No. of visitors to Vivekananda Rock Memorial No. of visitors to Wandering Monk Exhibition No. of visitors to “Arise, Awake” Pictorial Exhibition No. of visitors to Gramodaya Park No. of visitors to Gangotri Exhibition No. of visitors to Vivekananda Library at Kanyakumari No. of tourists who stayed in Vivekanandapuram (Lodge) No. of patients treated at the Dispensary No. of persons sent for cataract operation No of persons tested for diabetes etc

17,68,182 13,227 20,085 5,001 8,730 7,410 1,77,258 14,146 605 620

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Details of sponsors of the medical camps at Vivekanandapuram

Smt Priya Vijay Shekar & family from Chennai Tamil Nadu Mercantile Bank Ltd., Agasteeswaram State Bank of India, Vivekanandapuram, Sudarshan Books, Nagercoil

RSM Sapthagiri Finance Ltd., Tirunelveli State Bank of Travancore, Kanyakumari P.H. Narayanan & family, Mumbai SRK Contract rs, Chennai o

Madhavarayar Palli Manram, Kanyakumari Life Insurance Corporation of India, Nagercoil Canara Bank, Kanyakumari National Insurance Co., Nagercoil

Name & address of important visitors to Vivekananda Rock Memorial

Date of visit 12.04.08 06.09.08 29.09.08 22.01.09 14.02.09

Name Shri Subash Suelasukh Chareon Justice Sri A.K. Ganguly Prof. Bhagirth Singh Shri U. C. Sarangi Shri Amitabh Bachchan

Address Former Honorary Diplomat of Chile Chief Justice, Chennai Vice Chancellor, Dayanand Saraswati University Chairman, NABARD Cine Artist

Names of organizations which utilized the infrastructure at Vivekanandapuram for their meetings, seminars, workshops etc. The following are some of the organizations/associations/institutions who regularly availed of the infrastructure facilities at Vivekanandapuram are mentioned below:

Institutions A.B.V.P. Nagercoil Art of Living (twice) Bharat Vikas Parishad Chinmaya Mission, Thiruvananthapuram Foot Ball Association Indian Society of Nephrology Lakshmi Vilas Bank., Nagercoil NSS Regional Center RMKV & Sons, Tirunelveli Sankaralingam Nadar Hr. Sec. School, Chennai Scouts & Guides, Thucklay Swadeshi Jagran Manch Tiruvalluvar Ara Kattalai, Nagercoil Vazhka Valamudan (thrice)

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No. of Participants 165 250 400 100 300 300 200 400 100 200 250 300 215 520

Details of Shibirs conducted at Vivekanandapuram

Sl No 01. 02. 03. 04. 05. 06. 07. 08. 09.

Shibir Acharya Prashikshan Shibir Yoga Prashikshak Shibir Yoga Shiksha Shibir Sanskar Varga Shibir Karyakarta Prashikshan Shibir Kendra Shiksharti Deeksha Shibir Adhyatma Shibir (Spiritual Retreat) Yoga Shiksha Shibir Adhyatma Shibir

From 01,04.2008 24.04.2008 05.05.2008 23.05.2008 04.06.2008 27.06.2008 07.08.2008 01.12.2008 05.02.2009

To 25.04.2008 04.05.2008 19.05.2008 29.05.2008 25.06.2008 03.07.2008 13.08.2008 15.12.2008 11.02.2009

No. of Participants 134 35 68 392 40 13 68 70 38

There was an Akhil Bharatiya Adhikaris Baithak at Vivekanandapuram from 18 to 20 October. It was attended by 219 Adhikaris from different branch centers and projects. Shri P. Parameswaranji, Shri A. Balakrishnanji and Kum. B. Nivedita addressed them. The location of various branch centers is as under:

State Branch Centers Number 9 1 24

01. Andaman & Basantipur, Diglipur, Hut Bay, Kadamtala, Pahalgaon. Port Blair, Nicobar Islands Portmout, Ranchi Tekri & Rangat 02. Andhra Pradesh 03. Arunachal Pradesh Hyderabad VKVs at Amliang, Balijan, Banderdewa, Basar, Itanagar, Jairampur, Jirdin, Kharsang, Koloriang, Kuporijo, Liromoba, Niausa, Nirjuli, Nivedita Vihar, Oyan, Roing, Seijosa, Sher, Shergaon, Sunpura, Tafrogam, Wessang, Yazali and Ziro VK Arun Jyoti Project at Along, Bord umsa, Changlang, Daporijo, Deomali, Doimukh, Dumporijo, Itanagar, Kharsang, Khonsa, Mebo, Pasighat, Roing, Seijosa, Seppa, Tezu, Wakro and Ziro VKVs at Bargolai, Bokuloni, Dhemaji, Dibrugarh, Kajalgaon, Majuli, Golaghat, Nalbari, Silchar, AU Campus, Shuklai, Tingrai, Tinsukia and Umrongso Azad, Bokakhat, Chabua, Dhemaji, Dibrugarh(2) at VKVAPT & Mahalaya Nagar, Golaghat, VKIC at Guwahati:, Jorhat, Kamargaon, Khatkhoti, Lakhmipur, Lumding, Mangaldoi, VKNRLHospital at Numaligarh, Sivsagar, Silpathar, Tezpur & VKSPV and Tinsukia Bhagalpur, Gaya & Munger Dwaraka, Dakshin Delhi, Paschim Delhi, Poorva Delhi, Uttar Delhi and VK International Panji Ahmedabad, Bharuch, Bhavnagar, Dharmaj, Junagarh, Kadi, Morbi, Palitana, Porbandar, Rajkot, Surat, Vadodara, Veraval, VK Gujrat Prakashan at Palitana

18

04. Asom

14

20 3 6 1 14

05. Bihar 06. Delhi Mahanagar 07. Goa 08. Gujarat

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09. Himachal Pradesh 10. Jammu & Kashmir 11. Jharkhand 12. Karnataka 13. Kerala 14. Madhya Pradesh 15. Maharashtra

Kangra and Simla Jammu and Nagadandi Ashram Jamshedpur Bengaluru, Belgaum, Dharwad, Kalburgi, Kallubalu VKV, Kallubalu, Mandya, Mangaluru and Mysore Kodungallur and Thiruvananthapuram Bhind, Bhopal, Harda, Gwalior, Indore, Jabalpur, Jhansi & Morena Mumbai Vibhag: Ambarnath, Badlapur, Dadar, Dombivli, Vashi and Thane Nasik Vibhag: Aurangabad, Dhule, Jalgaon, Jalna, Malegaon, Nasik and Parbhani Pune Vibhag: Chinchwad, Dharashiv, Karmala, Kolhapur, Pune, Sangli, Satara, Solapur, Wai and Marathi Prakashan, Pune Vidarbha Vibhag: Amravati, Bhandara, Chandrapur, Nagpur and Yeotamal VKV Doyang Baleshwar, Baripada, Brahmapur, Bhubaneswar, Kusupur and Kendujhar Pathankot Ajmer, Alwar, Barmer, Beawar, Bhilwara, Dungarpur, Jaipur, VK Hindi Prakashan, Jodhpur, Kota, Nagaur, Pali, Rajasmand, Shahpura, Sikar, Kishangarh, Tonk and Udaipur Chennai, VK Prakashan Trust, Chennai, Coimbatore, Kanyakumari, VK NARDEP, Kalluvilai, VKV Kanyakumari, Kovilpatti, Madurai, Paramakudi, Rameswaram, Sattur, Thoothukudi, Valliyoor, and VKV Valliyoor. Bareilly, Etah, Lucknow, Prayag and Varnasi Kolkata & Suri

Andhra Pradesh Hyderabad The following were the activities here: 1. 2. Sanskar Vargas for 141 children.

2 2 1 9 2 8 6 7 10 5

16. Nagaland 17. Odisha 18. Punjab 19. Rajasthan

1 6 1 17

20. Tamil Nadu

15 5 2

21. Uttar Pradesh 22. West Bengal

All the branch centers carried out the routine programs like Sanskar, Yoga and Swadhyaya Vargas and celebrated the five prescribed Utsavs: Guru Purnima, Universal Brotherhood Day, Sadhana Divas, Gita Jayanti and Samartha Bharat Parva (starting on 25 December and ending on Vivekananda Jayanti on 12 January), with many events. Besides these, many centers had other activities too and they are detailed in brief as below:

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Yoga classes (separately for men and women), and meditation and stress management courses for 1,228 persons. Students' related programs such as

3.

Spoken English classes, personality and concentration development camps, for 1,536 persons. 4. 5. 6. 7. Varied competitions to promote idealism for 3,248 participants. Medical camps benefiting 2,568 patients. Amudha Surabhi Scheme with 770 participants donating rice, etc., Deepa Pujas, Music classes, coaching classes for students, reading room at 2 places, meetings and lectures during Utsavs, etc., with 2,880 participants and beneficiaries. Asom The major activities in this Prant were as under: 1. Dhemaji: 8 Sanskar Vargas, 4 Yoga Vargas, 2 Swadhyaya Varga, a personality development camp for 190 persons, seven one-day camps for college students, Uttishtat Jagrat Pariksha for 350 students. Tezpur: 3 Sanskar Vargas, 2 personality development camps for 91 students, 3 youth camps for 47 persons and Samartha Bharat Parva programs attended by 300 persons. North Lakhimpur: A Swadhyaya Varga, 2 Yoga Vargas, 7 Sanskar Vargas, two camps for 100 students. Nowgaon: Competitions for 210 students and a youth camp for 30 persons and a Book stall on Hanuman Jayanti Day. Golaghat: Four Sanskar Vargas, a personality development camp for 52 persons, competitions for 230 students, a camp for 35 youths and Samartha Bharat Parva programs at two places. Lumding: A Swadhyaya Varga, 3 Yoga

Vargas and a camp for 40 youths. 7. Sivsagar: Four Swadhyaya Vargas, 3 Yoga Vargas, 4 Sanskar Vargas, an orientation camp for 53 government school teachers, Gita Jayanti and Samartha Bharat Parva celebrations. Dibrugarh: 2 Yoga Vargas, 3 Sanskar Vargas, a workshop on Women's awareness and Vivekananda Jayanti. Chabua: 2 Yoga Vargas, 4 Sanskar Vargas, 5 Yoga Satras for 80 persons and Samartha Bharat Parva celebrations.

8.

9.

10. Mangaldoi: Youth camp for 25 persons, regular Yoga Varga and Bhajan Sandhya and Samartha Bharat Parva celebrations. 11. Guwahati: 6 Yoga Vargas, 14 Yoga Satras for 321 participants, 4 Sanskar Vargas, essay competitions for 91 students and Utsavs. 12. Tea garden areas: · Anandalayas and 15 Sanskar 38 Vargas for 1,800 children; · Personality development camp for 106 students; · muhik Surya Namaskar Sa organized for 1,200 students; · Bhajan Sandhyas with 210 7 women in Chabua, Moran and Jalan Nagar; · Help Group training for 15 Self women; ·Medical camps benefiting 1,600 5 persons and a training course for 25 Swasthya Rakshaks. The programs yielded good results as seen by the children's regular attendance in their schools and their behaviour; the cleanliness and health of the tea garden workers.

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2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

Bihar Bhagalpur Gita Jayanti was celebrated with the chanting of Bhagwad Gita by school children. A rally by about 200 people and distribution of sweets were the highlights on Universal Brotherhood Day. A new committee was formed on Sadhana Divas to carry out the activities of the branch center. Samartha Bharat Parva was observed with many programs. Shri Mangal Singh Manav, Director, AIR, Dr. Tapeswaranath, Head of the Department of Hindi and Dr. A.K. Sinha, Dean, both of Bhagalpur University, were some of the prominent persons who attended the functions connected with this program. Gujrat A major event under Ahmedabad Vibhag was `Vijay Hi Vijay' a five-day residential Shibir to inculcate the youth with the ideals of Swamiji based on his life and teachings. At first, 36,464 students from 436 colleges in 27 districts of Gujrat appeared for an objective type of examination based on the book `Vijay Hi Vijay'. Those who secured more than 60% marks were called to attend Prerana Shibirs. Of them, 1,255 select students attended the final 5-day residential `Vijay Shibir' at Shri Umiya Education Campus, Ahmedabad, from 24 to 28 December 2008. Two hundred volunteers helped to conduct the Shibir. They heard lectures, participated in group discussions and presented their views on national issues. Shri Narendra Modi, Chief Minister of the Government of Gujrat, inaugurated the Shibir. Shri Surendra Patel and Shri Rajendra Singh Rana, M.Ps, and Kum. B. Nivedita, Shri D. Bhanudas and many enlightened citizens also attended the program.

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Ahmedabad The following were the activities here: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Yoga Satra for 285 persons. Yuva Prerana Shibirs on 9 occasions with a total attendance of 650 persons. A three days residential personality development camp for 65 students. Special lectures on Swamiji & Vivekananda Kendra in 28 colleges. Pictorial exhibitions, lectures and meetings during Samartha Bharat Parva at 8 different places attended by about 6,500 students. . Publication of 40,000 copies of Gujarati book titled `Vijay Hi Vijay' on the life & message of Swami Vivekananda.

6.

Bhavnagar Five Sanskar Vargas for 125 children, a Yoga Varga for 25 participants and a Swadhyaya Varga for 25 participants were conducted. A 4-day residential camp was held for 75 students. A Yuva Prerana Shibir had 30 participants. There was a one day workshop with 150 students, 12 professors and 20 Karyakartas. Karnataka Bengaluru Besides Sanskar, Yoga and Swadhyaya Vargas and celebration of the prescribed Utsavs and many festivals, the following programs were conducted: 1. 2. 3. A week long Yoga Satra for 150 children and a 15-day Satra for college students. Regular free computer classes for government school children. Three personality development camps for 150 children.

4. 5. 6.

A Sanskar Varga Prashikshan Shibir for 24 persons. A one-day awareness camp for 26 Karyakartas. An Akhanda Ramanama japa and Likhitha japa was held on Sri Rama Navami Day, from dawn to dusk. It was concluded by Swami Sadatmanandaji from Arsha Vidya Kendra with Maha Mangalarati and distribution of Maha Prasada to about 3,000 devotees. An inter-school competition was arranged on Sri Krishna Janmashtami. There was Annadanam for about 100 children every Sunday.

8.

All the five Utsavs were celebrated with public participation. Vivekananda Jayanti celebration was attended by about 2000 people. A Samuhik Suryanamaskar was performed by 180 students in the presence of Shri Krishna Palemar, Minister in Karnataka Government and Shri Bhanudasji.

9.

Mysore A 10-day residential personality development camp for 75 children and a day's orientation camp for the students of an Industrial Training Institute were the main activities. Madhya Pradesh

7. 8.

Mangaluru 1. 2. Five Sanskar Vargas were regularly conducted for 165 children. Yoga classes at 11 places for 300 persons, a 5-day stress management course for 41 people, 8-day Pranayama class for 13 women, and a Yoga Satra for 32 students and 9 persons were held. Every Thursday Yoga and Pranayama classes were conducted for 150 jail inmates. Every month inter-school competitions were organized and about 1,000 students attended. On Raksha Bandhan Day, 1,500 Rakhis were tied to various people. A Yuva Jagriti Pariksha was conducted on the life and message of Swami Vivekananda for 840 students from 14 colleges. A medical camp in collaboration with A.J. Medical & Research Center benefited 400 persons. Deepa Pujas at two places attracted about 100 devotees. A large scale “Utho! Jago! Yuva Pratiyogita was successfully organized in 36 districts in which 12,010 students from 250 colleges participated. Around 5000 students out of them took part in oneday camps. The best of them numbering 422 attended a final Vijay Purna Vijay camp at Jabalpur. Workshops “Tatpar” were conducted in 37 schools for 1,212 students. Classes in spoken English, Mathematics, Vedic Mathematics, and Sanskrit Sambhashan were organized during summer vacation. The other programs were as under: 1. 2. 3. 4. Sanskar Vargas at 92 places for 2060 children. Yoga Vargas and Satras in 27 places for 124 persons. Swananda – a yoga module – for 20 journalists. Swadhyaya Vargas at 10 places attended by 95 people.

11 Yuva bharati - December 2009

3.

4. 5.

6.

7.

5. 6. 7.

Four “Pariksha De Hastey, Hastey” workshops for 592 students. Fourteen Personality Development Camps for 683 students. Guru Purnima at 6 places. At Gwalior, 2000 children from 63 Sanskar Vargas attended Vidyarambh Sanskar. Universal Brotherhood Day at 6 places with an attendance of about 600 people. Sadhana Divas observed at 4 places with 167 Karyakartas.

2.

The attendance at 32 Sanskar Vargas was 591 persons, 12 Yoga Vargas 122 and 32 Swadhyaya Vargas 343 persons. In Maharashtra Vibhag, Vivekananda Study Circles were formed in 4 colleges. In Nashik Vibhag, Shobha Yatras in Dhule and Nashik City, Vivekananda Jayanti in 17 places at Jalgaon and Samuhik Suryanamaskar by 3,000 youths were the programs, In Pune Vibhag, exhibitions and lectures were conducted at more than 17 colleges and Samuhik Suryanamaskar in Solapur. In Vidarbha Vibhag, there were public programs in 12 colleges of 7 districts. Vivekananda Kendra Marathi Prasar Vibhag, Pune, brought out a reprint of `Prabhavi Vyaktimatva' and two new books titled `Alasing Perumal and `Karma Yoga'.

3. 4.

8. 9.

5.

10. Gita Jayanti at 6 places attended by 748 families. 11. Samartha Bharat Parva celebrations in 8 colleges attended by 1880 students. Shri Bhanudas, Susri Rekha Davey, Shri Kishoreji, Shri Tarun Vijay, noted journalist, Dr. S.S. Tomar, Dean, Jawaharlal Nehru Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya, were some of the prominent persons who attended these Utsavs. Maharashtra The activities were: 1. Under the State level “Vijay! Poorna Vijay!!” program, a 5-day residential Yuva Prerana Shibir” was conducted at Shegaon, the renowned town associated with Shri Gajanan Maharaj. It was attended by 1,277 youths selected out of 7,664 who attended preliminary Shibirs, 240 Karyakartas and 91 Adhikaris and others. For this purpose 361 colleges in 33 districts were contacted. It was a grand gala affair and at the conclusion many p a r t i c i p a n t s o ff e re d t o a s s o c i a t e themselves with Kendra work. 6. 7.

Vivekananda Kendra Prashikshan va Seva Prakalpa, Pimplad Training in farming, nursery, drip irrigation, vegetable gardening and charcoal manufacturing was given to the villagers. Ten Shibirs were attended by 589 persons. The Health Center treated 3,670 patients and 18 Arogya Rakshaks assisted in various medical camps which benefited 329 persons. Utsavs celebrated in 16 villages were attended by 1,646 persons. Odisha The details of major activities at the six branch centers (Baleshwar, Baripada, Brahmapur, Bhubaneswar, Kendujhar and Kusupur) are:

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1.

Swadhyaya competition in which 1,003 students participated and four camps for 231 best of them. A personality development camp for 50 students, 5 Yuva Prerana Camps for 171 youths and 3 other camps for 91 participants. Six Yoga Satras for 246 persons. Guru Purnima celebration at 14 places with an attendance of 1,084 persons, Universal Brotherhood Day celebrations at 15 places attended by 2,420 people, Sadhana Divas observed at29 places by 868 persons, Gita Jayanti at 12 places with 2,431 persons and Samartha Bharat Parva programs at 61places attended by 7,527 people. Rajasthan

7.

2.

Nearly 4,500 people participated enthusiastically in all the programs in connection with the five prescribed Utsavs in Ajmer, Bhilwara, Jaipur and Jodhpur regions. Ma. Nivedita didi, S/shri Bhanudasji, Pravinji, Satishji Chowgulkar and Mukulji also actively took part in some of the programs. Vivekananda Kendra Hindi Prakashan Vibhag brought out the Hindi versions of (1) Swami Vivekananda in America and (2) Gita in Daily Life and also reprints of 7 earlier publications.

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3. 4.

9.

West Bengal Kolkata The prescribed five Utsavs were celebrated well. Swami Sukhananda, Principal, Ramakrishna M i s s i o n S c h o o l , B a r a n a g a r, S w a m i Atmabodhananda, and Swami Paramatmananda of Ramakrishna Vedanta Math were some of the distinguished guests in these. Gita Jayanti was celebrated near the oldest banyan tree in the renowned Botanical Garden with a day long program. There was a Karyakarta Prashikshan Shibir for 21 Karyakartas from Bihar and West Bengal at the Ashram of Swami Nigamananda Saraswati Sampraday at Puri.

The following were the main activities: 1. 3,700 school students attended Swadhyaya competitions and 666 selected out of them attended ten shibirs organized at different places. Similarly, 1,133 college students took part in the competition for them and 431 of them attended 8 Shibirs. There were six Personality Development Camps for 292 students and three Prerana Shibirs for 136 students. Fourteen other Shibirs were conducted for 1,231 persons. 9 Yoga Satras and 4 Yoga Vargas were attended by a total of 228 participants. 525 children attended 28 Sanskar Vargas and 81 persons attended 10 Swadhyaya Vargas.

2.

3.

4. 5. 6.

The great quality of Bhakti is that it cleanses the mind.

13 Yuva bharati - December 2009

Vivekananda Kendra Vidyalayas as on 31.3.2009 There are 53 schools in which more than 21,000 children were taught by 936 qualified and dedicated teachers drawn from different States. Many former students are also working as teachers. The details are furnished below:

Location 1. Andamans 2. Arunachal Pradesh 3. Asom & Nagaland 4. Karnataka 5. Tamil Nadu Total

Number of schools 9 24 17 1 2 53

Number of students 2,354 9,878 7,168 330 1,730 21,460

Number of teachers 123 393 322 17 81 936

Other staff members 30 152 124 2 17 325

Andamans The nine Vidyalayas in Andaman Islands functioned well. The results in the X & XII standard public examinations were as under: Vivekananda Kendra Vidyalaya, Port Bair

Public Examination X Standard XII Standard Attendance at the Utsavs Guru Purnima Universal Brotherhood Day in 9 places in 3 places 485 3,365

Number Appeared 94 64

Number passed 94 63

First Class 79 62

Sadhana Divas in 3 places 219

Gita Jayanti In 3 places 503

Samartha Bharat Parva in 9 places 3,495

Strength, strength it is that we want so much in this life, for what we call sin and sorrow have all one cause, and that is our weakness. Strength is the medicine that the ignorant must have when oppressed by the learned. Strength is life, weakness is death.

14 Yuva bharati - December 2009

Arunachal Pradesh Results in the public examinations held in March-April 2008

X Standard Number appeared 16 21 26 46 38 35 37 33 45 27 29 44 22 28 38 19 24 40 Number passed 16 21 26 46 38 35 37 33 45 27 29 44 22 28 38 19 24 40 First class 13 20 25 41 33 29 29 23 43 23 27 39 19 28 30 18 21 28 School at 01. Amliang 02. Balijan 03. Banderdewa 04. Itanagar 05. Jairampur 06. Jirdin 07. Kharsang 08. Kuporijo 09. Nirjuli 10. Nivedita Vihar 11. Oyan 12. Roing 13. Seijosa 14. Sher 15. Shergaon 16. Sunpura 17. Tafrogam 18.Yazali

XII Standard Number appeared Number passed First Class

35 21

34 21

24 15

23

23

15

16 12

15 12

08 09

30 years of glorious service in Arunachal Pradesh A two days special program “Samartha Arunachal - Samartha Bharat” marked the celebration of three decades of service by Vivekananda Kendra Vidyalayas in Arunachal Pradesh. The event began on 22 November with a massive procession flagged off by Swami Viswatmananda at Ramakrishna Mission. The procession of more than 3000 students, their parents and well wishers with 12 VKV band troupes was greeted by many like minded organizations like Arunachal Vikas Parishad, Sri Sri Ravishankar Vidya Mandir. On its reaching IG Park, Shri Balakrishnanji, Dr. Joram Begi (Director, Higher & Technical Education) & Prant Pramukh of Vivekananda Kendra, Arunachal Pradesh, addressed the gathering. On 23rd there was a grand display of band by 748 students and gymnastics by select students of

VKVs witnessed by more 8000 people. Shri Dorjee Khandu, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister addressed the gathering and paid a handsome tribute to the services of VKVs in promoting education among the children of far-flung areas in Arunachal Pradesh and appealed to all to extend full cooperation to Vivekananda Kendra for building a prosperous Arunachal. In appreciation of the performance of the students and teachers, he donated a sum of Rs.1 lakh. Shri Balakrishnanji, Dr. Joram Begi and Tejum Padu, Trustee, VKVAP Trust also addressed the gathering.

Achievements

Ø Kr Arvind Balakrishnan, Vivekananda Kendra Vidyalaya, Itanagar, stood first in the State in the X Standard Public examination.

15 Yuva bharati - December 2009

Ø Kum Preda Tamut of VKV, Nirjuli and Kum Reshma S. Raju of VKV, Itanagar, stood first in the On-line Quiz conducted by Department of Science & Technology, New Delhi. ØPranjali Das of VKV, Yazali, was Kum declared first for her exhibit in the Eastern India Science Exhibition. Ø Kr Shankaracharya Dutta of VKV, Itanagar, stood first in the State Level Science Congress for his presentation. Østudents participated in the national Seven level Science Congress for students at Dimapur. Ø VKV students participated in the CBSE national level Kho Kho tournament at Ludhiana. Ø Dixit, Principal, VKV, Itanagar Shri S.C. received the CBSE National Level Award as a best teacher.

Ø Shri Vishwas Lapalkar, Jeevanvrati & also Secretary VKVAP Trust and VKSP Vibhag (for the schools in Arunachal and Assam) received Mahadev Balawant Natu Puraskar by Natu Foundation, Pune, in recognition of his services for the educational development of the janjatis in remote areas. Shibirs & other events There were many Shibirs and training programs for students, teachers and wardens of not only VKVs but other schools as well. Parents meet, Matru Puja, competitions for students in Essay writing, Quiz and inter-school sports competitions were the other events.

The attendance at the well celebrated Utsavs was as under: Guru Purnima – 8,000; Universal Brotherhood Day – 23,000; Sadhana Divas – 7,000; Gita Jayanti 8,000; Samartha Bharat Parva – 26,000

Asom & Nagaland Results in the public examinations

X Standard Number appeared 73 91 42 79 49 15 18 14 No. passed 73 91 42 79 49 15 18 14 First class 73 77 38 34 35 4 14 08 School at 1. Tinsukia 2 Dibrugarh 3. Golaghat 4. Umrongso 5. Baragolai 6. Doyang (Nagaland) 7. Bokuloni 8. Tingrai

XII Standard Number appeared 75 67 14 42 48 Number passed 72 66 14 41 45 First class 56 41 10 26 32

Highlights of other activities Ø Two new Vidyalayas were started in March at Tezpur (District Sonitpur) and Badarpur (District Karimganj). Ø A Sanskar Varga Prashikshan Shibir was attended by 27 teachers and 115 students. Ø investigatory science project 18 In an students from 6 Vidyalayas presented their project report and 28 students from 8 Vidyalayas demonstrated their models.

16 Yuva bharati - December 2009

Ø Shri Vivek Ponkshe, Principal, Jnana Prabodhini Prashala, Pune, delivered the key note address at the Seminar at VKV, Nalbari, on `Nationalistic Education Means to integrate it with school curriculum'. Different VKVs presented 15 papers on the subject. Ø day long workshop for the An 8 professional growth of Science and Mathematics teachers at Jnana Prabodhini, Pune, benefited 13 teachers.

Ø The orientation camps for in-service teachers for academic and administrative improvement helped 78 teachers. Ø There were 35 participants in the Utkarsha Shibir for the Aya didis and Bhayas in different VKVs to help them realize that they are inseparable part of Kendra's Nation building work. Ø The annual Abhibhavak Shibir on the theme `Family & National Security' at VKV, Bokuloni, was attended by 45 families of students studying in VKVs. Ø There were 622 students in the Personality Development Camps conducted in 12 Vivekananda Kendra Vidyalayas. Ø Gita Jayanti celebration at During Dhemaji, students of 14 Vidyalayas took part in the final round of Gita chanting competition. Ø The Veena Pani Lalit Kala Samaroh attracted 116 girls and 65 boys from 12 VKVs. Many items like Sattriya Nritya, Borgeet, Bhajan, Patriotic songs, were presented before appreciative audience. Ø Sammelans conducted in different Matru VKVs were attended by 850 mothers. Ømaterials like woolen clothes worth Relief Rs.2 lakhs collected by VKVs were distributed to 200 families affected by communal riots at Udalgudi. Ø were about 200 students in two There groups for the inter-Vidyalaya essay writing competitions.

Ø The annual magazines - Udbhas, Samprajna, Darpan and Pratibha brought out by the Vidyalayas at Bokuloni, Dibrugarh, Golaghat and Tinsukia respectively exhibited the creative talents of the students. Ø The attendance at the well celebrated Utsavs was as under: Guru Purnima 6,081; Universal Brotherhood Day - 7310; Sadhana Divas - 6700; Gita Jayanti 6341; Samartha Bharat Parva - 9081.

Karnataka

Vivekananda Kendra Vidyalaya, Kallubalu

The Vidyalaya started in 2001 has now classes from LKG to VIII Standard. It not only provides value based education to the children but has become a center of various other nation building activities. Many prominent citizens and corporate executives from Bengaluru attended its programs and addressed the students. On the occasion of school annual day celebrated with Vivekananda Jayanti, the tenth edition of Yoga Deepika in Kannada was released. More than 1,000 students and 28 teachers from other schools turned up to see an exhibition organized here on the National Science Day. A tenday Sanskrit Sambhashan Shibir for students of V VII Standards, a week long Sanskar Prashikshan Shibir for 37 students and a teachers' orientation camp were the other events.

Tamil Nadu Results in the public examinations

X Standard Number appeared 70 22 19 Number passed 69 First Class 62 17 School At Kanyakumari Valliyoor Number appeared 47 11

XII Standard Number passed 47 11 First class 45 10

21 Yuva bharati - December 2009

Vivekananda Kendra Vidyalaya, Kanyakumari A new block of building is under construction to meet the additional needs of the school. The computer laboratory was expanded and some audio-visual equipment was procured. The Vidyalaya students have done well in co-curricular activities. The school teams stood district first in Kabbadi at super senior level, in volley ball at senior level and also claimed first place in a few athletic events at zonal level. The management of The Hindu arranged supply of the newspaper at concession rate to the students and also deputed a few persons to teach speaking and writing skills. Many senior officials of Indian Space Research Organization, Chief Superintendent of Tamil Nadu Electricity Board were the chief guests at the time of celebration of Utsavs.

Vivekananda Kendra Vidyalaya, Valliyoor

The Vidyalaya which started in 1988 in a small way is now a full-fledged higher secondary school. The infrastructure facilities have been further improved to meet the increasing needs. The students have also performed well in academic field and co-curricular activities. Many respectable personalities like Shri Ramanuja Kaliyan Jeeyar Swamy of Vanamamalai temple, Yateswari Neelakanta Priya Amba, in charge of Sarada College, Tirunelveli and prominent persons associated themselves with the Vidyalaya during Utsavs.

Vivekananda Kendra Pratishthan Trust The Trust takes care of recruitment of Karyakartas of all categories, their training and deployment in various centers and projects. The main source of funds for the Pratishthan comes from the donations received from the public. The details of patrons are furnished below:

Category 1. Annually donating 2. Lump sum 3. Perpetual 4. T o t a l

As on 1.4.2008 26,809 93,352 4,197 1,24,358

During 2008-09 1,819 5,522 113 7,454

As on 31.3.2009 28,628 98,874 4,310 1,31,812

Thirteen Shikshartis (trainees) received Jeevanvrati's Deeksha during the year. Vivekananda Kendra Prakashan Trust Vivekananda Kendra's journals are published from the places mentioned below:

1. Chennai 2. Jodhpur 3. Solapur 4. Palitana 5. Guwahati

Vivekananda Kendra Patrika, English half yearly; Yuva Bharati, English monthly and Viveka Vani, Tamil monthly. Kendra Bharati, Hindi monthly. Vivek Vichar, Marathi monthly. Vivek Sudha, Gujrati monthly. Jagriti, Assamese & English quarterly

22 Yuva bharati - December 2009

Besides an issue of Vivekananda Kendra Patrika, titled Green Footprints, the following were the publications brought out during the year:

Govt. of India, made a power point presentation on “Journey to Manasarovar”.

(1) Yoga (2) Padavali (3) Inspirations, (4) God, Mind & Matters, (5) Arise & Awake and (6) Character. The first two are in Assamese and others in English. There were also reprints of 17 other books in English, Hindi and Tamil.

The first phase of `Rabha Documentation Project' was completed and at a meeting of the Advisory Board its members were apprised of the progress made and guidance for the next phase obtained.

The calendars, diaries and other items with the stirring message of Swami Vivekananda were in great demand.

A workshop on organizing seminars was held in which 17 persons belonging to Boro, Karbi, Tiwa and Sawra communities participated.

Vivekananda Kendra Institute of Culture Guwahati

A three-day workshop on entrepreneurship development was organized for 13 youths from Arunachal Pradesh and 8 from Asom.

Under Sanskriti Anvesak, there were two lecture sessions with the topics: “A tribute to the great soul – Pujya Sri Pitamber Dev Goswami, Sri Sri Garamurh Sattradhikar and noted social reformer & freedom fighter” and “Present challenges faced by the society today and its response through the vision of Srimanta Sankaradeva”. Many academics spoke at the meetings. A follow up to the series of lectures on the vision of Srimanta Sankaradeva, and a meeting were held in which many scholars participated. Shri Michel Danino delivered the 6th R.N. Phukan Memorial lecture on “India's Unity in Literature and History: concept and practices” at a meeting presided over by Shri Dipok Kr. Barthakur. Justice Sri S.N. Phukan was one of the distinguished guests present on the occasion. Shri Danino delivered another lecture on the “Recent findings of Indian Civilization ad new Perspective in History”. Shri C.V. Gopinath, former Deputy Director General, Dept of Telecommunications,

Shri Mati Lal Kalai, a young artist and social activist, working for the development of `Kalais' in Tripura was awarded VKIC SANMAN 2009 on the 14th Foundation Day on 31 January at a gala function with Dr. B.K. Das, Managing Director, Numaligarh Refineries Ltd., as the chief guest.

An `Uttishthata Jagrata' examination on the topic `Call of the millennium' for 246 college students and a `Srimanta Sankaradeva Pragya Pratiyogita' competition on Swami Vivekananda, Srimanta Sankaradeva and Lachit Barphukan for 87 were organized.

A series of awareness program on hand made paper and fiber industries were organized in collaboration with many industrial and government undertakings at Sivsagar & Mirza of Kamrup district and Dudhnoi of Goalpara district.

At a public function, `Bhagbatam' in verse form written by Sattradhikari Pujya Sri Narayan Ch. Goswami and a painting on `Symanta Haran' were

23 Yuva bharati - December 2009

released in the presence of Prof. Birendranath Dutta, former President of Asom Sahitya Sabha.

VKIC New Delhi Chapter

VKIC Arunachal Pradesh Chapter, Itanagar

The Indigenous Study Circle had a meeting on 4 April with Shri Tajom Taloh, Secretary, Agriculture & Land Management, Arunachal Pradesh, as chairman and Shri Kaling Borang, former General Secretary, Central Donyipolo Yelam Kebang as the main speaker. Two symposia on the role of priest in Adi & Idu and Mishmi communities were organized. A Nyishi Documentation Project is under way.

There were two lectures on `Indigenous faith movement in Arunachal Pradesh' and `Asom of India: Past and Present'. Dr. Joram Begi, Director, Higher & Technical Education, Government of Arunachal Pradesh and Shri B.B. Kumar, Secretary, Astha Bharati,participated in the programs. This was organized at Vivekananda Kendra I n t e r n a t i o a l , N e w D e l h i .

Vivekananda Kendra Arun Jyoti Project Arunachal Pradesh

VKIC Meghalaya Chapter

A three day educational workshop organized with H. Onderson Mawrie Study Centre at Nongthraw, 55 kms from Shillong, was attended by 21 teachers from he schools under Vivekananda Kendra Shiksha Prasar Vibhag and 8 teachers from Seng Khasi schools. The objectives of this workshop were: Ø the concept of activity based Discover learning to become joyful and permanent; Ø life skills; Develop Ø psycho-motor domain; Activate Ø thinking capacity and creativity Enhance and Ø knowledge to students. Transfer

This Project started in 1993 with the objective of `Development through Culture' is an extension of Vivekananda Kendra's man making and nation building activities. It is now spread in 11 districts and has 24 full time workers, 151 Dayitvan Karyakartas and 301 honorary workers. The work of the Project was carried out as under:

Anaupacharik Shiksha Manch (Non-formal education wing):

v 109 Balwadis with by 211 Balasevikas and 19 Balwadi Prabandhikas took care of 2,322 children. v 23 Anandalayas with 23 Acharyas and 4 Prabandhaks helped 394 primary school going children. v 119 schools appeared for `Arise, 3,200 from Awake' competitions and 1,039 successful participants attended 17 camps. v 295 children attended a competition for them at Doimukh. v 50 Sevavratis during their vacation period

Another workshop on Stress Management was attended by 45 professional executives.

24 Yuva bharati - December 2009

of one month conducted 50 one day camps for 1,219 village children. v 5 personality development camps were conducted for 226 children. v 3 Prashikshan Shibirs for 152 Balasevikas, 3 for 53 Anandalaya Acharyas and 2 Sanskar Varga Prashikshan for 113 participants were organized.

girls not only in weaving, tailoring, food processing etc and also to spread the aims of Vivekananda Kendra. Four of them have proved that they have imbibed the spirit of the organization by joining as Balasevikas in Balwadis. Many others are successfully self-employed. v Four Mahila Jagran Shibirs (awareness camps) with the theme of `Mother as a nation builder' attracted 73 women.

Swasthya Seva Manch (Medical wing) Yuva Manch (Youth wing) vnumber of patients (4,800) from A large Changlang and Tirap districts were treated in 79 medical check-up. v general operation camp in A free collaboration with Remote Area Medical, USA and Coal India Ltd., Margherita, Asom, was conducted in which 89 persons were screened and 34 operated successfully for appendicitis, gall bladder stones, hernia lumps and bumps. vlong Swasthya Rakshak A week Prashikshan Shibir trained 12 participants. v awareness programs attended by 32 health 1,256 villagers resulted in reduction in their medical expenses. v 120 women of Bordumsa and Changlang attended four health awareness camps in which they had interaction with the doctors about their problems and doubts.

v five youths worked day and night Seventy during a local `Mela' and endeared themselves to the thronging pilgrims. Other activities were camps, shibirs and workshops as under: v A `Pariksha De Hastey Hastey' camp for 24 X Standard students; v An `Arise Awake' competition for 100 higher secondary and college students; v A Yuva Prerana Shibir for 48 students; v level Prashikshan Shibir for 46 A Prant Karyakartas; v workshop on `Research for A 3-day resurgence' with the guidance of Vivekananda Kendra International for 8 persons; v A workshop on `self reliance' for 13 young men and v An `Entrepreneurship Development' camp for 25 youths.

Mahila Manch (Women's wing)

v vocational training centers at The four Dumporijo, Seijosa, Wakka and Wakro have been quite successful. The sales of products from here exceeded Rs.3 lakhs during the year. These centers trained 59

Sanskritik Manch (Cultural wing)

vBandhan was celebrated by tying Raksha

25 Yuva bharati - December 2009

Rakhis on the wrists of 41,718 men and women. v More than 7,000 greeting cards were distributed during four Arunachali festivals. v Khimun, Secretary General of Shri L. Rangfraa Faith and Promotion Society addressed four meetings largely attended by persons belonging to Nokte and Olo communities. v the auspices of Vivekananda Under Kendra Institute of Culture, Itanagar Chapter, a symposium on the `Role of Priests in Adi, Idu and Mishmi communities' of Dibhang Valley, Lower Dibhang Valley, Lohit and Anjaw districts was conducted. v Two Kasturiba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas started in 2006-07 in the districts of Tirap and East Kameng are running well and providing value based education to the rural girls.

unbelievable enthusiasm to join. A child from Khuthung, a remote village, could not be admitted because she was under-aged. She was so much disappointed - distressed would be more appropriate - that her mother came to the school and requested Roikam Taikam to console the child and assure of her admission to the school next year. She said for the paltry (from her point of view) reason, the child had to wait for another long year to join the best maintained school in Tirap district. KGBV School, Barap celebrated the Republic Day with the usual fanfare. The senior teacher who was anchoring the events, all of a sudden asked Sapua, a teacher to address the audience about Kendra and its activities. He was at first taken aback by this sudden demand but recovered himself sufficiently to deliver extempore a beautiful speech. When complimented, he was so modest as to say that it was also due to Swamiji's grace and every Karyakarta should be ready at all times for all eventualities. This is a lesson for all to follow. Bunnu, in-charge of Vocational Training Centre, Wakro, had to organize a women's awareness camp. She had no previous experience whatsoever in organizing such camps and was very apprehensive. Any way she took the plunge in the name of Swamiji and contacted 20 women and requested them to attend the camp. She hoped that at least ten would turn up. But to her great surprise 25 people turned up and such a response stimulated her and the camp was an outstanding success. She was full of praise for the participants in making the camp a success as if she had no role in it! Indigenous movements gain momentum if properly directed and public support automatically flows in. This was what happened in Upper Subansri district when the Karyakartas of VKVTC, Dumparjo, motivated the villagers to establish a temple there. They happily agreed and soon a small beautiful temple came up and the

The following incidents will inspire anyone: Tirap district surrounded by Myanmar and Nagaland is a hotbed of militancy. A group of 15 militants raided the school at Barap, Lazu circle and terrorized the staff and students. A horrifying experience. Though people were afraid to move out of their homes, `it was business as usual' for Kimun, for an Anandalaya Karyakarta. He visited some remote villages to get participants for a camp without any fear. He said that fear was in one's mind and that should not deter if one wanted to do any thing good. KGBV School, Barap, has created a stir among the villagers of Lazu circle. The young children who normally are reluctant to attend school, exhibit an

26 Yuva bharati - December 2009

villagers now attend the prayers every Sunday regularly. Bringing the people together for a common cause is nation-building. The Karyakartas felt encouraged by this event. Nimat and a new Karyakarta of the Vocational Training Center at Wakka were traveling in a bus. The passengers were discussing loudly about a firing incident between two militant groups. The news scared the new Karyakarta and she wanted to return. But Nimmat assured that nothing would happen and they should proceed as some trainees would be waiting for them. Nimat later said that if her colleague did not get over her fear then, she would always be afraid of something or the other. Vasavi Didi in charge of all VKVTCs at the time of visiting different centres to see the work there, was tense and apprehensive about the capacity of Karyakartas to maintain the organizational discipline and norms. Her fear turned out to be totally unfounded. When she returned after her trip, she was full of praise for the ability of Karyakartas to handle all problems. Now she swears by Swamiji's dictum: `Each soul is potentially divine'. A lesson for all! Vivekananda Kendra Institute of Culture, Arunachal Pradesh Chapter, organized a symposium at Tezu. Jaweplu Didi, Nagar Pramukh, was working very hard to see everything was fine. Only after the symposium was over, everyone came to know that she was under medical treatment. She had concealed this fact so as not to disturb the event. Such devotion! Bidya Tamuk was a former student of VKV. While studying up to X standard, he was actively associated with Kendra. When he left the school, he lost touch with Kendra, buy with the usual idle pursuits of young people. Recently one of the Karyakartas met him and enquired about his

welfare. He confessed to her that things weren't satisfactory with him and said that he would like to retrieve himself by associating with Kendra again. She was touched by his feelings and assured him of Kendra's guidance. Monika Didi, Nagar Sangathak recently went to the house of a participant who attended a Samskara Varga Shibir. The lady of the house was full of praise for what was taught in the Samskara Varga Shibirs. She said that her daughter was aghast when she visited a house as the lady there did not offer even a glass of water while greeting her. Her daughter's telling remarks were: “Ma, we should always first offer a glass of water to the visitor when she calls on us. This is one of the good lessons taught in Sanskar Varga.” The young ones who attend our Sanskar Varga Shibirs truly imbibe the lessons learnt. Maichin Mamai from Phanyak is a past beneficiary of a medical camp. She volunteered to work at a mega Medical camp held at Margherita. She stayed with the female patients and took great care of them. When enquired what prompted her to help, her reply was: “I am fit as a fiddle today because of treatment I had at a camp conducted by Kendra and should I not repay my debt at least by helping others. This is said in Kendra prayer itself, is it not?” Many former students of VKV, Itanagar, (now doctors and government officials) organized a massive health and social awareness camp at Basar Nello. Initially, the villagers were not enthusiastic, thinking it was a state sponsored routine government camp. But when the Karyakartas explained that it was conducted by the Kendra, they all attended and also offered their cooperation and help to conduct similar camps. Thus there is a close rapport with the villagers everywhere due to our contacts with them.

27 Yuva bharati - December 2009

Vivekananda Kendra NRL Hospital, Numaligarh This ISO certified hospital with highly qualified medical officers and supporting staff provided the following services:

Service rendered Outdoor patients Inpatients Surgery conducted Survey undertaken - 21 & Mobile camps conducted - 209) Radiology services Pathology service Blood transfusion

Beneficiaries 33,472 1,605 580 11,381 6,198 72,350 200

Vivekananda Kendra International New Delhi A meeting at the branch center and a seminar at Delhi University marked the celebration of U n i v e r s a l B r o t h e r h o o d D a y. S h r i P. Parameswaranji, Shri Ajit Doval, Shri S. Gurumurthy and Shri Subramaniam Swami were

main speakers. Shri A. Balakrishnanji addressed a meeting on 11 November about `Family & National Security”. Sadhana Divas was observed with all solemnity. On Gita Jayanti Day, Sushri B. Nivedita addressed a meting on the importance of Bhagwad Gita. Vivekananda Jayanti was celebrated on 24 January. Swami Nikhilananda, President of Chinmaya Mission, Delhi addressed the people who had assembled on the occasion.

A one-day personality development camp for college students and a 3-day residential camp for school students, and a 3-day Vijay Hi Vijay' Shibir for 35 youths were the other programs. Vimarsha, a monthly discussion series attracted many intellectuals and important citizens. The topics taken up for discussion and the chief speakers were:

Month May Jun Jul Aug Oct Nov Dec Jan 09 Feb Mar Tibet

Topic

Mainspeaker Shri Ajit Doval Shri Vijay Kapoor Shri R.K. Ohri Shri Deb Mukherjee Shri Lt. Gen. Ravi Sahni Shri Satish Chandra Admiral Raman Puri S/shri S. Sanyal & S. Doval Shri Swapan Dasgupta Shri Rajiv Sikri Shri Satish Chandra, Lt. Gen. S. Choudhary, Shri Ajit Doval & Air Marshal Krishnaswamy

Apr 08 India and her neighbours Problem of Bangladeshi infiltration Nepal - a new era Afghanistan Problem Nuclear Deal Self-reliance in India’s defence Global economic crisis & its impacton India Media and national interest India: Foreign policy options & challenges Emerging policies in Pakistan & Afghanistan and their implications for India

28 Yuva bharati - December 2009

Vivekananda Kendra Vedic Vision Foundation, Kodungallur The activities of this project were categorized as per Vedic vision under Satya, Dharma, and Yagna and conducted to generate spiritual awareness amongst the people to solve their problems at the individual and collective levels in accordance with the country's ancient wisdom. Under `Satya' there were two seminars in which learned scholars delivered key note addresses and clarified the doubts of the listeners. Sri Sasi Kumar, a renowned artist conducted a well attended workshop on Kathakali. Dr. T. P. Sasikumar conducted another workshop for 350 students on value based education. Besides these, there were monthly satsanghs on Narayaneeyam and weekly Bhajan classes. Swami Nirmalananda Giriji explained the significance of Kathopanishad in the Swadhyaya Varga. Under Dharma, it was stressed that activities based on Nishkama karma are the best ways to check the growing adharmic tendencies in the society. Under Yagna, the five Utsavs of Kendra, the birthdays of Sri Ramakrishna, Sri Sarada Devi and Swamiji and important festivals like Sri Ramanavami and Sri Krishna Jayanti etc., were celebrated with varied programs. Swami Nirmalananda Giri provided medical advice and ayurvedic treatment on the third Sunday of each month to more than 50 patients. Food material received as donation was distributed to 50 families to celebrate Onam festival. The popular in-house journal “Vishwa Banu” continued its useful work of disseminating information on Vedic truths. Vivekananda Kendra Natural Resources Development Project Dr. Kamalasanan Pillai, Scientist at VK NARDEP, received the `best paper award cum grant' of Rs. 1

lakh from National Research Development Corporation, New Delhi, for his paper on `High value Azolla Bio-feed for livestock. He also presented papers at three other places on the usefulness of Azolla. There was wide coverage of the activities of VKNARDEP by The Hindu, Matru Bhumi (Malayalam Newspaper), Tamil magazines Pasumai Vikatan and Uzhavar Osai. A project funded by Ford Foundation on `Enhancing through sustainable agricultural practices the livelihood of farmers in Tamil Nadu depending on rain-fed farming' has been taken up. Other regular activities were: Four awareness programs and 9 training courses in cost-effective construction technology for 512 persons. Three workshops on Water Management attended by 471 persons. Six workshops on sustainable agriculture, 4 training course in `bio-manure - Vermi compost' making and 15 programs on cultivation of Azolla for multipurposes for a total of 1000 persons. Three programs in Indian system of medicines for helping 312 village vaids, farmers and self-help group members. Over 4,800 persons were treated at Green Health home and in its seven camps. Construction of 18 Shakti Surabhi biogas plants. Eleven awareness camps on their benefits for 255 persons and seven workshops on `New and renewable energy' for 459 participants. Seven Motivation Camps for Election Commission staff and officials of Co-optex Department, 4 programs for young scientists and professionals for a total of more than 600 persons. The popular books - Biogas A Boon (English), Azolla and Varma Chart (Tamil) were reprinted.

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Vivekananda Kendra Rural Development Programs The round the year programs of this project in the districts of Kanyakumari, Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi, Virudhunagar and Ramanathapuram have not lost their sheen or popularity. The general public turned up in large number at all the events like Deepa Puja, Anna Puja, and Utsavs.

The details:

Program 01. Balwadis 02. Sanskar Vargas 03. Competitions for rural students at Block level (a) Number of students from 1116 schools (b) Number of teachers & parents who assisted 04. Competitions for rural students at District level (a) Number of students from 9 schools (b) Number of teachers& parents who assisted 05. Competitions for urban students at District level (a) Number of students from 170 schools (b) Number of teachers & parents who assisted 06. Essay writing competitions for Plus-2 students from schools 07. Essay writing competitions for students from 116 colleges 08. Number of professors & teachers who sat for essay writing competition 09. Annual meets for 35 Sanskar Varga students 10. Deepa Pujas 11. Collection of cereals for Anna Puja & under Amudha Surabhi scheme from householders 12. Aid and assistance: (a) Under `Sponsor A Grand Parent’ programs (b) For education of girls (c) For marriage (d) For medical treatment 13. Vocational Training units 14. Medical Centers 15.Eye Camps for 6,700 patients for cataract operation 16. Total attendance at 5 Utsavs

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Number 75 231 1,223

Participants/ Beneficiaries 2,103 7,134 21,748 2,128

9 2,534 881 11 2,072 475 130 5,329 15,837 54 4 278 861 23,158 45.490 kgs

65 433 18 32 5 15 42 23,73 1,722 27,500

There were some touching incidents: On the eve of Shankranti, uniforms were distributed to the children studying in the Balwadi at South Tamaraikulam, near Kanyakumari. Sandhya appeared to be happier than other children on receiving her uniform. She explained that as her parents could not afford to buy any new dress for the festival like other parents for obvious reasons, the gift of uniform made her doubly happy. When a Balwadi teacher in Valliyoor went to Pattapillaiyoor village to collect paddy for Anna Puja, she found a householder had kept ready a

small bag of paddy and handed it over immediately she reached her. On enquiry, the lady of the house said: My child studying in your Balwadi said you were collecting paddy for Anna Puja and that when you came, we should not make you wait. At a function in Moolakaraipatti village, a wellwisher, Shri Subbiah who sponsored the prizes was distributing them to the winners. When the teacher thanked him and hoped that that he would sponsor the prizes next year too. He promptly said: Why next year only! I have already deposited sufficient amount in a bank to perpetuate this sponsorship for ever!

Shraddhanjali Vivekananda Kendra regrets the demise of the following stalwarts associated with Vivekananda Kendra's aims and wishes to pay homage to their memory and record its appreciation of their services to the society and the nation:

Shri Jogesh Chandra Das Ex-Sanchalak, Bhubaneswar Branch Shri N. Viswanath Publisher, Yuva Bharati, Chennai Shri S. P. Gupta General Body Member

10. Swami Lakshmanananda, Renowned Social Activist in Odisha 11. Shri Bholanath Sharma, former Chairman, Guwahati Branch Center 12. Smt. Meera Chandani, Kendra Well wisher & patron

Shri Krishna Ballabha Prasad Narayan Singh, 13. Swami Satchidananda, General Body Member Anand Ashram, Kasargod Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, Renowned Transcendental Meditation Guru Shri Baba Amte, Social Worker Shri Jagmohanji Saxsena, General Body Member Shri Madan Garge, Well known Sculptor Swami Chidananda, President, Divine Life Society, Rishikesh 14. Sri Taluk Tamuk, Ex- President, Dony Polo Yelam Kebang, Arunachal Pradesh 15. Shri Shri Krishna Sharma, Chairman, Ajmer Branch Center 16. Shri Ashok Jog, Fulltime worker, Educational Wing, Asom & Nagaland 17. Shri R. Venkataraman, former President of India & Kendra well-wisher 18. Shri C. P. Bhishikar, Noted Marathi Writer

19. Smt. Vimala Thakar, Noted Thinker

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Acknowledgement

Vivekananda Kendra is indebted to all the well-wishers, patrons, government agencies, consultants, legal advisers, auditors and the employees whose immense help and cooperation in various ways for pursuing its objectives. It thanks them all and assures to perform better in coming years.

SHIBIR

CALENDER

- 2010

NAME OF THE SHIBIR Spiritual Retreat (Eng) Spiritual Retreat (Hindi) Yoga Shiksha Shibir (Eng) Yoga Shiksha Shibir (Hindi) Spiritual Retreat (Eng) Spiritual Retreat (Hindi) Yoga Shiksha Shibir (Eng) Yoga Shiksha Shibir (Hindi)

DATES 05 - 11 Feb 05 - 11 Feb 05 - 19 May 05 - 19 May 08 - 14 Aug 08 – 14 Aug 01- 15 01- 15 Dec Dec

AGE 40 + 40 + 18+ 18+ 40+ 40+ 18+ 18+

CAMP DONATION Rs. 1000/Rs. 1000/Rs. 1500/Rs. 1500/Rs. 1000/Rs. 1000/Rs. 1500/Rs. 1500/-

Further details: E-mail: [email protected] / Fax: 04652-247177 / Phone: 247012 Vivekananda Kendra, Vivekanandapuram, Kanyakumari - 629 702 (Note to VKPT- Please update it with latest information) For Accomodation in Vivekanandapuram:Email: [email protected] Address Campus In-charge Vivekananda Kendra Vivekanandapuram Kanyakumari – 629702

Phone : 04652-246250 Fax : 04652 - 247177 Website: www.vkendra.org

32 Yuva bharati - December 2009

Sl No 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11

Accomodation with attached bath AC cottages with two double bed rooms Addl person AC 3 bedded room AC 2 bedded room (New Block) AC double bedded room Addl person Deluxe 4 bedded room Super deluxe 3 bedded room Deluxe 3 bedded room Deluxe 2 bedded room Four bedded room Double bedded room Addl person Four bedded room in Annex Addl person

Rate 2000 200 800 700 500 100 400 350 300 250 250 150 15 200 10

Tax 12½% 10% 10% 10% 5% 5% 5% 5%

Note – Rooms (common bath) with locker and halls (with common bath) are available.

The great task is to revive the whole man, as it were, in order to make him the complete master of himself. The first test of true teaching must be, that the teaching should not contradict reason. We are what our thoughts have made us; so take care of what you think.

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CONTRIBUTE TO THE WORK OF VIVEKANANDA KENDRA SERVICE ORGANISATION WITH TWIN OBJECTIVES - MAN MAKING AND NATIONAL RECONSTRUCTION Monetary Contribution in this noble cause a National Yajna

You can participate in our programme through: · Approach your relatives and neighoubers and encourage them to contribute monetary and thus participate in this National Yajna. · Requesting your relatives and friends working in big or small cooperation, banks, funding institutions, Local/State Government to give you the names of those who might be interested in funding Vivekananda Kendra for the different projects. For each corporation/ Government agency. Please fill out the form given below for whatever information you have and mail to us. Your information will help us to get in touch with these organisations and request them for their collaboration and support. Your name and address : .................................................................................................................................. Phone and E mail : 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. ....................................................................................................................................

Name of the company/institution ........................................................................................................... Address :...................................................................................................................................................... Phone:.............................................Fax .............................................Email............................................. Contact Person ...................................................Designation .................................................................. Name of the person who .....................................Designation................................................................ makes decisions .................................................. Phone / Email ............................................................

6.

What do you think is the field in which they would prefer to make donations ? a) Education b) Health Care c) Women's programs d) Vocation Training e) Rural

Development Programme f) Others

Fro Further information please contact: General Secretary Vivekananda Kendra Vivekanandapuram Kanyakumari - 629702 Ph: 04652 - 247012 Email : [email protected]

34 Yuva bharati - December 2009

Your Contribution to support the work of Vivekananda Kendra Service Organisation with twin objectives - Man Making and National Reconstruction Monetary Contribution in this noble cause a National Yagna By way of (Some suggestive scheme) Support a child for education scheme · Support a child for one month : · Support a child for six months · Support a child for a year · Sponsor the monthly Expenses of 50 children Gift a day scheme · Donate Rs 1/day for 365 days · Donate Rs 2/day for 365 days · Donate Rs 5/day for 365 days Sponsor a medical scheme · Support a scheme for a month : · Support a scheme six month : · Support a scheme for a year : Support a Balwadi ( age group 3-5 years) · Support a Balwadi for a month : · Support a Balwadi for six months : · Support a Balwadi for a year : 200 Balwadis are running at present Rs. 365 Rs. 730 Rs. 1825 Rs.1000 Rs.6000 Rs.12000 Rs.50000

Rs. 25000 Rs 150000 Rs 300000

Rs. 1500 Rs. 9000 Rs. 18000

Support an Anandalaya ( tuition with play way method for rural students) · Support an Anandalaya for a month : Rs. 5000 · Support an Anandalaya for six months : Rs. 10000 · Support an Anandalaya for a year : Rs. 20000 50 Anandalayas are running at present in Rural Area Support the rural girls to make them stand on their own feet · Support a girl for one month · Support a girl for six months · Support a girl for a year 200 girls are getting training at present

Rs. 2000 Rs. 12000 Rs. 24000

35 Yuva bharati - December 2009

Young men and women of India

Do you hear Swami Vivekananda saying:

“Then only will India awake, when hundreds of large-hearted men and women, giving up all desires of enjoying the luxuries of life, will long and exert themselves to their utmost, for the wellbeing of the millions of their countrymen.” Are you among those who Swamiji had in mind for awakening our people to the mission of our Motherland? Come, dedicate yourself for the service of the nation as a fulltime worker of

Vivekananda Kendra, Kanyakumari – a spiritually oriented service mission.

If you do not have the responsibility to look after family and if you are ready to dedicate the country yourself full-time, then you are the ideal choice for the mission Swamiji had placed before. It is not a career – but a mission. Your Yogakshema would be taken care of by the Kendra. Send e-mail for details at: [email protected] Or Contact with full bio-data and a postal order of Rs.10/-, GENERAL SECRETARY VIVEKANANDA KENDRA VIVEKANANDAPURAM KANYAKUMARI 629702 Phone – 04652 – 247012 Fax – 04652 - 247177 For detail information, visit us on: www.vkendra.org

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Download PDF: December 2009.pdf

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