Navratri Celebrations at VKV Kallubalu Highlight Nine Shakti Temples of Karnataka

Vivekananda Kendra Vidyalaya Kallubalu (Karnataka Prant), celebrated the Navratri Puja with deep spiritual fervor and enthusiasm from 11th October to 19th October 2026 at the Patanjali Sabhangana. Centered around the theme "Karnataka Shakti Devi Temples" for the 2026–27 academic session, the nine-day event drew a total attendance of 3,350 participants, aiming to connect students with the rich spiritual and cultural heritage of the state. 

During the morning assembly each day, teachers and students chanted the Durga Saptashati and Mahishasura Mardini Stotram and performed Agnihotra. Teachers staged a short drama on the history and traditions of the temple featured that day. Students performed Aarati and offered prayers to its presiding Goddess.

Throughout the festival, teachers staged short dramas illuminating the history, legends, and significance of nine iconic Goddess shrines across Karnataka Horanadu Annapoorneshwari, Badami Banashankari, Sringeri Sharadamba, Hassan Hasanamba, Sigandur Chowdeshwari, Savadatti Yellamma, Kollur Mookambika, Sirsi Marikamba, and Mysuru Chamundeshwari. Students actively engaged in the daily rituals by offering prayers and performing Aarati to each deity. 

The celebrations successfully fostered a strong sense of devotion, discipline, and reverence for Indian traditions among the students. 

The event concluded on 19th October 2026 with collective prayers for universal well-being, wisdom, and prosperity, leaving a lasting impression of cultural and spiritual enrichment on the entire Vidyalaya family.

One-Day Youth Workshop at PVP Siddhartha Institute of Technology, Kanuru

Vivekananda Kendra Kanyakumari, Telugu Prant, Krishna Vibhag, Vijayawada, organized a one-day youth workshop on 9 October 2026 at PVP Siddhartha Institute of Technology (PVPSIT), Kanuru. The workshop brought together 61 students, along with 6 Vivekananda Kendra Karyakartas and 7 faculty observers from various colleges.

The programme began with the chanting of the Shanti Path, followed by Vande Mataram. Sri Bandla Lakshman Chowdary ji, IRSS, Dy. CSTE, South Central Railway, was the Chief Guest. Dr. K. Shivaji Babu ji, Principal of PVPSIT, and Sri Narla Vinay Kumarji were the Guests of Honour.

Sri G. Srinivas Ji led the students in games. Sri L. Rajesh Ji and Ku. Akanksha Didi then guided four student groups in an activity on “India @ 2047,” inviting them to share their vision for the country. Sri Radhakrishna Reddy Ji conducted a yoga practice session, and Sri Hari Prakash Ji introduced the students to the mission and seva activities of Vivekananda Kendra Kanyakumari. The Chief Guest and Guests of Honour also addressed the students.

The guests presented prizes, mementos and certificates to the participants. Dr. P. V. Ramana Murty Ji collected feedback from the students, after which Sri L. Rajesh Ji proposed the vote of thanks and led the Shanti Mantra. The programme concluded with the National Anthem.

Universal Brotherhood Day Lecture on Youth Power and National Resurgence at Badlapur

Vivekananda Kendra Kanyakumari, Maharashtra Prant, Kokan Vibhag, Badlapur Nagar, organized a public lecture on “Youth Power and National Resurgence” on 10 October 2026 at Gupte–Mhaskar Sabhagruha, Ghorpade Chowk, Katrap, Badlapur East. Held as part of the Universal Brotherhood Day observance, the programme commemorated Swami Vivekananda’s historic Chicago address of 11 September 1893. It brought together 450 participants, including youth, local residents, professionals and representatives of social organizations.

Badlapur Nagar Pramukh Smt. Vaishali Bokil paid tribute to the Swargeeya Shri A. Balakrishnan Ji, former All-India President of Vivekananda Kendra. This was followed by three Omkaras, a prayer and the song 'Hum Yuva Hain'. Nagar Yuva Pramukh Shri Yogeshwar Bokil Ji gave a brief account of the Kendra’s 13 years of work in Badlapur.

Smt. Samidha Raut introduced the speaker, Shri Deepak Karanjikar ji, a management expert, Marathi author and actor. An electrical engineer by training, he worked in more than 70 countries during his 30-year career and served as a director of a multinational company. He also travelled across Maharashtra to build support for the recognition of Marathi as a classical language.

In his address, Shri Deepak Karanjikar ji drew on the lives of Bhagwan Shri Krishna, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Swami Vivekananda to reflect on the role of youth in national resurgence. Speaking about the influence of mobile phones and the constant flow of information, he emphasized the value of direct conversation and thoughtful reflection. He urged participants to put Swamiji’s teachings into practice by serving society and contributing to nation-building.

The programme concluded with a vote of thanks, the Shanti Mantra and Vande Mataram. As a follow-up, Badlapur Nagar plans to invite young participants to its regular Samskar Vargas, Swadhyaya sessions and youth leadership activities.

विवेकानन्द केन्द्र शिमला द्वारा एनएसएस शिविर में 51 सूर्य नमस्कार का आयोजन

दिनांक 25 अक्टूबर 2026, दिन रविवार को प्रातः 7:30 बजे विवेकानंद केंद्र कन्याकुमारी, शाखा शिमला द्वारा राजकीय उत्कृष्ट सीनियर सेकेंडरी स्कूल, फागली (शिमला) के राष्ट्रीय सेवा योजना (NSS) शिविर के अंतर्गत एक विशेष योग कार्यक्रम का सफल आयोजन किया गया। इस अवसर पर केंद्र के कार्यकर्ताओं और स्कूल के एनएसएस स्वयंसेवकों ने एक साथ मिलकर सामूहिक रूप से "51 सूर्य नमस्कार" का अनुशासित एवं ऊर्जावान अभ्यास किया।

कार्यक्रम में स्कूल के विद्यार्थियों, शिक्षकगण, विवेकानंद केंद्र शिमला केdedicated कार्यकर्ताओं एवं अन्य गणमान्य व्यक्तियों ने पूरे उत्साह के साथ सहभागिता की। इस स्वास्थ्यवर्धक एवं प्रेरणादायी आयोजन में लगभग 65 प्रतिभागियों की गरिमामयी उपस्थिति रही। प्राणायाम और योग के सिद्धांतों का पालन करते हुए किए गए इस सामूहिक अभ्यास ने सभी में एक नई सकारात्मक ऊर्जा का संचार किया। 

कार्यक्रम अत्यंत सफल रहा और उपस्थित सभी लोगों ने विवेकानंद केंद्र के इस प्रयास की भूरि-भूरि सराहना की। 

Yuva Samvad Programme on Universal Brotherhood Day at NIT Patna

Vivekananda Kendra Kanyakumari, Bihar–Jharkhand Prant, Patna Vibhag, Patna in collaboration with the Vivekananda Study Circle, National Institute of Technology (NIT), Patna, organized a Yuva Samvad Programme on the occasion of Universal Brotherhood Day on 20 September 2026 at NIT Patna. The programme witnessed the participation of 40 people, including students and faculty members. Mananeeya Nivedita Didi, All India President of Vivekananda Kendra Kanyakumari, graced the occasion and interacted with the students.

The programme commenced with Deepa Prajwalan by Mananeeya Nivedita Didi, followed by a floral tribute to Swami Vivekananda. Prof. Sanjeev Sinha (HAG), Planning and Development, NIT Patna, who attended as the Chief Guest, presented a memento to Mananeeya Nivedita Didi.

Delivering the welcome address, Prof. Omji Shukla, Department of Mechanical Engineering, NIT Patna, emphasized the importance of values in guiding technological advancement. He observed that while technology is in our hands, our future is determined by the values we uphold.

In his address, Prof. Sanjeev Sinha encouraged the students to take pride in Bharatiya culture and human values. He emphasized that rights and responsibilities must go hand in hand and that technological progress should never come into conflict with fundamental human values.

Addressing the gathering, Mananeeya Nivedita Didi highlighted the need to balance technological advancement with human welfare and spiritual development. She emphasized that technology must progress, but not at the cost of human life, and should always be directed towards the larger good of society. Referring to the growing influence of artificial intelligence and technology, she explained that handling artificial power requires inner strength, which can be developed through understanding and practising the fundamental values of life.

Elaborating on Swami Vivekananda's message of Universal Brotherhood, Mananeeya Nivedita Didi explained that diversity does not imply separation. She emphasized that all beings are interconnected and interdependent, and that this understanding forms the foundation of Bharatiya thought.

She further explained that the individual expands into the family, the family into society, society into the nation, and the nation into the entire universe. This interconnectedness brings with it a responsibility towards every level of existence. She encouraged the youth to recognize that as technology brings the world closer together, humanity must cultivate greater acceptance, mutual respect and a sense of shared responsibility.

The address was followed by an interactive session, during which Mananeeya Nivedita Didi responded to questions raised by the students, providing further insights into the relationship between technology, values, personal development and nation-building.

As part of the programme, prizes were distributed to the winners of the Quiz and Speech Competitions conducted at the NIT Patna campus.

The programme concluded with the chanting of Om and the Shanti Mantra.

The Yuva Samvad Programme provided a meaningful platform for students and faculty members to reflect on the relevance of Swami Vivekananda's vision of Universal Brotherhood in the modern technological age. The interaction inspired the youth to pursue scientific and technological excellence while remaining rooted in Bharatiya values, ethical responsibility and the spirit of service to humanity, contributing towards the mission of Man-Making and Nation-Building.