Maha Shivaratri and Ramakrishna Jayanti Celebrations at VKV Kallubalu

On 18.2.2023 Saturday Vivekananda Kendra Vidyalaya - Kallubalu celebrated Sri Rama Krishna Paramahamsa Jayanti with one of the most auspicious occasion of Mahashivarathri by performing Shivalinga Pooja. Life of Sri Rama Krishna was presented through PPT.

Importance of the day -Shivarathri, singing Bhajans, chanting shlokas on Shiva created a devotional atmosphere. All the students, parents , well-wishers and staff worshipped Lord Shiva by performing Pooja to Shivalinga with devotion.

Pooja was concluded with Shanti manthra. Prasad was distributed to all. Total attended 246.

Lecture on Swami Vivekananda for Indian Freedom Movement-Delhi

On Thursday, February 16, 2023, Hansraj College of Delhi University organized a distinguished lecture titled " Influence of Swami Vivekananda on Indian Freedom Movement." The speaker for the program was Nikhil Yadav, Prant Yuva Pramukh, Vivekananda Kendra, Uttar Prant. Vrinda Khanna, secretary of the Eshwer Foundation, was the guest of honor of the program presided by Prof. Rama, respected principal of Hnasraj College.

Shri Nikhil Yadav, Prant Yuva Pramukh, Vivekananda Kendra, Uttar Prant said, "Swami Vivekananda (born Narendranath Dutta) was born in Kolkata on January 12, 1863, and was endowed with intense patriotism, spiritual commitment, and a genuine personality. Swamiji had a spiritual awakening in his youth after meeting his guru, Sri Ramakrishna. His guru also asked him to help people ("Shiva Bhave Jiva Seva – Service to God-incarnate as humanity.") Swamiji traveled throughout the country, getting to know the people and the land firsthand. He arrived in Kanyakumari after about five years of wandering as a monk, where he meditated on a rock for three days and nights (25,26,27 December 1892) on the country's past, present, and future. He discovered that the countrymen had lost their self-esteem, confidence, faith, and belief.

In 1893, he left for America to attend the World Parliament of Religions; despite several obstacles, he made it to the podium, where his opening speech on September 11, 1893, established him as a popular figure. An audience of thousands applauded for two minutes for Swami Vivekananda.

Swamiji spent approximately three and a half years after the Parliament preaching the ancient philosophy of Vedanta and Yoga in various parts of the United States, England, and other western countries.

In January 1897, he returned to India. He delivered lectures in various parts of India in response to the warm welcome and thronging audiences that greeted him everywhere, causing quite a firestorm throughout the country. On May 1, 1897, he also established the Ramakrishna Mission with the motto "ATMANO MOKSHARTHAM JAGAD HITAYA CHA," which translates as "For one's own salvation and the welfare of the world."

Swami Vivekananda's Influence on the Indian Freedom Movement

Shri Nikhil Yadav added, "Swami Vivekananda was the driving force behind the Indian Independence movement. He inspired many freedom fighters in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, including Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Sri Aurobindo, Mahatma Gandhi, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, Hemchandra Ghosh, and Sister Nivedita. His speeches and writings inspired Indian youth to join the freedom movement. On the other hand, history and historians have portrayed him solely as a religious or spiritual leader. The lecture was attended by many students and faculty members of Delhi University. 

Vivekananda Kendra launched Young India: Know Thyself Program

The Delhi branch of Vivekananda Kendra, Kanyakumari launched Young India: Know Thyself (YIKT) Program on 5th February 2023 at their Chanakyapuri Center, New Delhi. According to Shri Nikhil Yadav, Prant Yuva Pramukh, Vivekananda Kendra, Uttar Prant, the purpose of YIKT is to initiate into the younger generation a purposeful and spiritual way of life. The Launch program was attended by more than 300 students and teachers from different educational institutions in Delhi and NCR. The program started with Vedic chantings followed by patriotic songs, a Presentation of the YIKT module, and experience sharing by Kendra Volunteers.

He special guest for the day was Prof. Sushma Yadav, presently the Pro. Vice Chancellor of the Central University of Haryana and Prof. Madhav Govind, Chairperson, Centre for Studies in Science Policy, Jawaharlal Nehru University. While addressing the gathering, Prof. Sushma Yadav focused on why it is essential to know oneself before knowing anything else. She also narrated the Guru and Shishya enlightening discussion between Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa and Swami Vivekananda. Prof. Madhav Govind spoke on the importance of time and energy in one's life. He said that by channeling time and energy in the right direction, an individual could do wonders.

Making the concluding remarks, Shri Nikhil Yadav elaborated on the Vision and mission of Swami Vivekananda, which every student can contribute by being part of the YIKT program. The program was concluded by Shanti Mantra.

What is Young India: Know Thyself Program?

The young India program is a 4-a-pronged process, which is as follows:

1. Registration: Physically in college with one-to-one interaction. Any young person between the age of 16-23 can register.

2. Online test: Based on Indian culture, civilization, and the life of Swami Vivekananda to test awareness and sincerity. It consists of 40 questions. (20 points)

3. Workshop: It consists of games, group discussions, and a presentation, skit presentation to check the group dynamics, discipline, and initiative. (50 points)

4. Residential camp: Selected participants are invited to a five-day residential camp. All activities are done in groups. It consists of games, yoga, Surya Namaskar, Agyabhyas for martial spirit, intellectual lectures, group discussions, Vedic chanting, and many more activities. Participants can utilize around 16 hours in a day. The whole process is designed to impact all the dimensions of one's personality, such as physical, mental, intellectual, emotional, and spiritual.

District Level Cultural Competitions - VKRDP

VKRDP conducted district-level Cultural Competitions on 05-02-2023 at Thirthapathi Hr. Sec. School, Tirunelveli. 377 students, 127 parents and 51 teachers from 83 schools participated in the competitions.

Vivekananda Kendra Rural Development Programme conducted district-level Cultural Competitions on 05 February 2023 at Thirthapathi Higher Secondary School, Ambasamudram, Tirunelveli. 377 students, 127 parents and 51 teachers from 83 schools participated in the competitions. Cultural competitions such as elocution, storytelling, music, drawing, Thirukural recitation and quiz were conducted for the children.

Teacher Mrs. Rani inaugurated the programme and Kendra Karyakartha Ms. Chandra delivered the welcome address. Ambasamudram Saha Nagar Pramukh Sri. Sankaran Ji and Secretary of VKRDP Sri. Ayyappan Ji interacted with parents and teachers about family and child brought up.

In the concluding ceremony, Dr. Sri. Padmanabhan and Dr. Smt. Gomatipadmanabhan addressed the students and gave prizes to the winners. Kendra karyakarthas Sri. Karuppasamy Ji, Ms. Saraswathi, Ms. Chandra coordinated the programme.

Teachers Workshop at Thiruvalla

VK Pathanamthitta organised a workshop for the teachers of National High School, Vallamkulam, Thiruvalla in which 40 teachers participated.

Vivekananda Kendra Pathanamthitta organised a workshop for the teachers of National High School, Vallamkulam, Thiruvalla in which 40 teachers participated.

The purpose of the workshop is to make the teachers realise their role in Man Making & Nation Building. Dakshin Prant Sangathak Mananeeya Radha Devi didi and Sri. Y. Pradeep Ji conducted the workshop.