Three–day residential camp

DIBRUGARH, August 27: Vivekananda Kendra Shiksha Prasar Vibhag, Guwahati, an educational project of Vivekananda Kendra, Kanyakumari, organized a three–day residential camp for the Principals and Senior Teachers (August 24 to August 26, 2014) of 18 Vivekananda Kendra Vidyalayas, located in Assam and Nagaland, concluded on August 26, 2014 in Vivekananda Kendra Vidyalaya, (NEEPCO) Bokuloni. 117 participants comprising of 61 brothers and 56 sisters attended the camp.  

The inauguration of the camp, was done by Rev Sumanasananda Maharaj, Secretary, Ramkrishna Mission, Cherrapunji, Meghalaya, in presence of Mananeeya Pravin Dabholkar, Joint General Secretary, Vivekananda Kendra, Kanyakumari, and Secretary, Vivekananda Kendra Shiksha Prasar Vibhag and HK Changmai, General Manager and Head of the Project, Assam Gas Based Power plant, Bokuloni. In his keynote address, Mananeeya Pravin Dabholkar explained the objectives of organising such camps in keeping the teachers tuned to the organizational, ideological and cultural dimensions of the Vivekananda Kendra. He conveyed to link oneself with the society, Nation and rise to the occasion by sharpening our instruments to reach out from within to contribute in making Bharat a “Jagat Guru.”

His holiness Swami Sumanasanandaji Maharaj, underlined the significance of holding such camps, the coming together to lend momentum towards the goals that the organization has set. He also drew attention to the divine position that the Acharya (Teacher) has   been accorded in the scriptures. Teachers are the successors of the Rishis, Munis, and the task of building the Nation is on the shoulders of the teachers, he noted.

It was followed by address delivered by Hare Krishna Changmai,  pointed guru into three dimensions viz. Pitru Guru–Matri Guru, Shiksha Guru (teacher) and Spiritual Guru. He stressed that along with academic knowledge, spiritual knowledge is also essential for the healthy growth of an individual. Ashirbad the mobile wall magazine with initial thanksgiving contributions from the students of Vivekananda Kendra Vidyalaya (NEEPCO), Bokuloni, towards their teachers was released on the occasion.  The mobile wall magazine is so designed that it can accommodate the creative as well as literary contributions from individual schools located across Assam and Nagaland.

Mananeeya Bhanudasji, General Secretary, Vivekananda Kendra Kanyakumari, spoke on the relevance of the teachings of Bhagawad Gita in our day–to–day life. He saw parallels in the role of the teachers with that of the characters as portrayed in the Bhagawad Gita. He pointed out the need to pass the divinity to the children as Shresta Acharyas.

Mananeeya Pravinji spoke on the Mananeeya Eknathji (founder of Vivekananda Rock Memorial & Vivekananda Kendra Kanyakumari) Janma Shati Parva – Concept. He outlined the steps to be taken by various Karyakartas at various levels to carry out the celebration. To take  the Vision and the Mission of Mananeeya Eknathji, to the masses with the theme “Consolidating & Strengthening” every sphere of this thought Movement called “Vivekananda Kendra”.

A series of sessions were taken by an eminent educationist Arvind Gore, from Maharastra all of which were aimed at developing an insight into the changes taking place today. The topics were: Chain of Learning – Beautiful Mind, Art of Understanding Others, Synergy of a Group, Working together – A team building, Leadership – The Principal of the School, Philosophy of Education – Point to ponder, Happiness – The Attitude of Approach, Globalization – A Challenge of new age.

The first two days of the camp were capped by cultural programme by the students of Vivekananda Kendra Vidyalaya (NEEPCO) Bokuloni. On the inaugural day (August 24, 2014) singing of diha naam, presentation of drama entitled Bharat Jago! Viswa Jago!!, a script authored  by Vivekananda Kendra Kanyakumari and translated into Assamese by Pranami Goswami, the then teacher of the Vidyalaya. The other drama staged on the second day of the camp was on Sahityarathi Lakhminath Bezbaruah. 

On the concluding day, Susree Nivedita Raghunath Bhide, Vice–President, Vivekananda Kendra Kanyakumari, delivered a speech on Karmayogaikanishtha. She underlined the need for human beings to strive and not be a status quoits. She through various anecdotes threw light on the human nature, the common behavioural pattern and in the process drove home the point to change for the better. She reminded that happiness doesn’t come from material possessions but from the creations, relationships, that sustains in the long.

Susree Meera Kulkarni, Prant Sangathak, Vivekananda Kendra, Assam Prant, dwelt on the topic: Mananeeya Eknathji Janma Shati Parva. She shared the plan about how to proceed with the celebration ahead.

The Camp Report was read by Vandana Puri, VKV, Tinsukia, closely followed by sharing of camp experiences by Susree Sudipta Saha, VKV, Tinsukia & Ritwick Chakraborty, VKV (NEC), Baragolai.

In the Valedictory Function, Dr Alok Kumar Borgohain, Vice–Chancellor, Dibrugarh University, was the chief guest. He said that the role of a teacher is not of a transmitter of knowledge but to discover what is on the mind of his or her student. He drew attention to the fact that a teacher should discover a good thing in a child and help him or her nurture. An overwhelming number of educational institutions to his knowledge was found missing in one element and that was to kindle core human values, he rued. The aim should not be to generate “humanized robots”. The Rich Indian Heritage can serve as a model instead of blindly aping western models in Education.

HK Changmai, General Manager & HOP, Assam Gas based Project, (NEEPCO), Bokuloni, highlighted the role that the teacher play in shaping the sensitive minds. He drew an incident from his life to show the bondage between the teacher and the taught.

The day ended with vote of thanks offered by Rupanjali Borthakur, Principal, Vivekananda Kendra Vidyalaya (NEEPCO), Bokuloni. This was stated in a press release.

Ref : http://www.sentinelassam.com/state1/story.php?sec=2&subsec=2&id=202122&d...