VKIC Sanman 2019

The Vivekananda Kendra Institute of Culture today conferred its VKIC Sanmaan for the year 2019 on Nabam Tata of Arunachal Pradesh. The honour is in recognition of his lifetime endeavour to protect and propagate the culture of the Nyishi Community, which in turn has inspired indigenous faith movements in other parts of the State.

Tata, from the days of his youth, has overcome great odds to carry out research and documentation on Nyishi culture. His years of efforts in different parts of Nyishi territories have resulted in the creation of a rich repository of folk culture, literature and oral history. Today, the Nyishi have a sense and pride and identity built on their rejuvenated cultural roots.

A proponent of indigenous faith and culture, Tata has acted in many plays and films, which includes playing the protagonist in the first feature film of Arunachal Pradesh which was directed by the Late Dr Bhupen Hazarika. Since then he has also composed new songs and verse which reflect the Nyishi traditional beliefs and practices.

Accepting the award, Tata expressed his gratitude to Vivekananda Kendra, particularly for spreading education through its schools and enabling the community to preserve their own cultural inheritance. “Today, people in our state know that if a child is studying in a Vivekananda Kendra Vidyalaya, the student will turn out as a fine human being. The VKIC too has come forward to document our ancient customs and traditions.” He said efforts must continue to rejuvenate the cultural roots of all indigenous communities.

Speaking as the Chief Guest in the programme, Dr Sachchidanand Joshi, Member Secretary of Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA), asserted that North East India is actually at the heart of Indian culture and also Akahnda Bharat that extends between Afghanistan and Indonesia. It is also here that a great vault of traditional textiles, handicrafts, and other artefacts exist side by side. It is a range so rich and varied that it is larger than that located in a region like Europe.

He exhorted the audience to take pride in their ancient heritage, and draw inspiration from it. The idea of India cannot be comprehended if we see the country as merely 70 years old. The actual reality is that its cultural traditions have flowed ceaselessly for more than millennia. Dr Joshi underlined the need to have an education system in which culture becomes an integral part.

In his welcome address, Dipok Kumar Barthakur, Chairman VKIC mentioned that VKIC’fs Foundation Day celebrates the attempt at man-making and nation building at the intellectual level. This day is also to remember with solemnity Mananeeya Eknath Ramkrishna Ranade, who had conceived the idea of VKIC as a means carry out research and documentation that would lead to culture nurturing unity.

“The Vivekananda Kendra Institute of Culture, as a project of Vivekananda Kendra Kanyakumari, is at the forefront of protecting and promoting the indigenous culture of North East India. We have many challenges, but VKIC is dedicated to overcome those,” he added.

11th Vedanta Vachaspati Radha Nath Phukan Memorial Biennial Lecture

Focusing only on the environment would not help serve the cause of Sustainable Development. Along with it, the economy and society too have to be taken into consideration when we aim for achieving development that also secures the needs of future generations.
This was a view of Prof. M Jagadesh Kumar, Vice Chancellor of Jawaharlal Nehru University, while delivering the 11th Vedanta Vachaspati Radha Nath Phukan Memorial Biennial Lecture organised by the Vivekananda Kendra Institute of Culture, Guwahati.
Describing technology as a serious pursuit of craft and techniques, he further mentioned that economic developments which are sustainable is the need of the hour. They ought to be inclusive and should not be wasteful. In the last few decades, South East Asia has witnessed an output of E Waste that is dangerous and has serious consequences. Technology is trying to effect changes by designing of devices with components which can be replaced, thus lengthening the products lifespan.
Economic models have an impact on sustainable development. The reduction of energy use and adapting to solar and wind energy can be a big boon for a country like India. It has been assessed that about 84 percent of the country’s energy needs can be secured by a combination of solar and wind power.
About 60 per cent of Indians are in one way or the other dependent on agriculture. Unfortunately farming contributes only 17 per cent of the GDP. In order to achieve growth that is sustainable there is a great need for technological interventions. The Indian Institute of Science has made an apparatus that farmers can easily use to check the soil moisture, a vital task in agriculture. This and other innovations have made an impact on people away from cities and towns.
Society, in his opinion, also has a great role in laying the foundation for sustainable development in India. Since ancient times, Indian philosophy has underlined the concept of the common good. Now sociologists have once again underlined that truism – Self-centred attitude and behaviour does not lead to common good. Citing experts, Prof Kumar said, “We have become pleasure seeking, curiosity driven human animals.”
Self-awareness is, therefore, the need of the hour. If one is serious about achieving sustainable development, then we must practice perennial human values such as love, affection and sharing. All these constitute part of Indian culture.
Urging people to become less materialistic and more responsible in their behaviour, Prof. Kumar said that when that happens society will become more effective in ushering in a type of development that does not endanger future generations. We have to use fewer materials, use less energy, and become socially inclusive if we are keen on devising strategies to reach sustainable development goals, he observed.

Talk on Sister Nivedita at VKIC

A talk on Sister Nivedita was organised by Vivekananda Kendra Institute of Culture at Assam Institute of Management on 4th December at 11 A.M. Mananeeya Shraddha Vays Patil from Mumbai delivered the oration which centered on the subject- "Sister Nivedita and Indian Women"

Sixty eight management students along with four karyakartas took part in the event.To spread the message of Swami Vivekananda the book "Vijay Hi Vijay" was given to the students.

Geeta Jayanti Program at VKIC

Gita Jayanti was organised in VKIC on Thursday, November 30 in its own auditorium full to its capacity. Sri Govindramji Sharma from Belda, Haridwar delivered the oration which centered on the subject – What Gita tells about Karmayoga. The elder Gita Pracharak mentioned that although many physical developments were happening all around us, there was no peace. “People are doing Karma, but is that in accordance with what the Gita says?”

The development we see around us has not contributed to the welfare of all. Working for one’s own narrow interest is not Karma yoga. Our saints and visionaries make us learn that one has to go much beyond. They are remembered and worshiped because they worked for the good of others, the welfare of society and the nation. Swami Vivekananda had said, “Expansion is life. Contraction is death,” and we have to abide by this.

Karma yoga also entails that whatever is performed is in tune with Swadharma. Equanimity is one of the greatest of quality that the Gita upholds. The wise person sees no difference among various life forms. The behaviour may vary according to the relationships they have, but they will perceive everyone as equal. From this viewpoint of equanimity they try to work with no attachment and seek to bring in welfare for all.

A VKIC publication on Sister Nivedita – the ardent disciple of Swami Vivekananda – was released on the occasion. The Editor of the book, Dr Mukunda Rajbongshi spoke briefly about the life of the great Indian nationalist who also made significant contributions to girls’ education. 

A Conference on FUTURE ENERGY

A daylong Conference on "FUTURE ENERGY" was held on 1st November’17 in the auditorium of Vivekananda Kendra Institute Culture (VKIC), Uzan Bazar; The Vivekananda Kendra Skill Development Group, one of the Pillars of Kendra, organized this Conference on this theme of Global & National importance,

The Programme was well attended by the technocrats from the major Energy Companies operating in the region, students & faculties from select Institutions of Assam and the officials from Assam Science Technology & Environment Council & Assam Energy Development.

A panel of highly knowledgeable experts conducted the Conference. Dr Harsha Bhattacharyya, Medical Director, Sri Sankaradeva Nethralaya, Chief Guest in his speech in  the Inaugural session encouraged Vivekananda Kendra’s effort to organize a Conference of such magnitude on a very apt theme of “Future Energy”. He also hailed Energy companies, the Institutions, ASTEC & ADEA for their whole hearted support and participation. He hoped that such effort will accelerate the awareness build up process on  Future Energy. 

Sri Dipok Kr Barthakur, Chairman, Vivekananda Kendra Institute of Culture & Chairman, VKNRL Hospital, Numaligarh also attended the Inaugural programme, and wishes a grand success of the Conference.    

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Parimal Bhattacharyya, Director, VKIC told about the contributions of Kendra towards socio cultural development of the region. He highlighted that ;

There were all together seven presentations on Future Energy by the participants and there were very useful interactions among the participants.

Besides OIL India, Numaligarh Refinery Ltd and Guwahati & Bongaigaon Refinery of IOCL, there were presentation on the theme by NIT, Silchar, IIT Guwahati and ASTEC & ADEA. 

Dr Arup Kumar Misra, Director, ASTEC & ADEA), Dr V S Moholkar, Professor and Head, Dep of Chemical Engg and Centre for Energy, IITG and Prof P C Baruah, Head, Dept of Energy Engg, ASTU are the Panelist for the Conference.

The Panelist during their turn mentioned that the standard of the presentations are very high and there were fruitful interactions among the participants..

An E-Souvenir was also released as a part of this Conference.

All the participants appreciated the effort of Kendra.         

Community participation helps in forest conservation efforts

Community participation with support from NGOs and the forest department has triggered successful conservation efforts, as witnessed in many ecologically sensitive areas across the world. In parts of North East India also, local community involvement has enabled the scripting of positive environmental stories, according to Dr Biphuti Prasad Lahkar.

Speaking on the topic ‘Contribution of Local Communities to Conservation,’ in a Sanskriti Anveshak lecture of the Vivekananda Kendra Institute of Culture (VKIC) here recently, Dr Lahkar pointed to protected areas in western Assam in particular and revealed how tribal communities are now helping preserve the Manas National Park and neighbouring reserve forests.

“Once a community identifies with a forest, and realises its value for them, they make efforts to protect the flora and fauna therein,” he said.

It is, however, a challenge to motivate the communities to do that. It may take years before local people become aware about their dependence on a forest, before they can comprehend the ecosystem services they receive from a land or water body.

Dr Lahkar, who has been working in the Manas landscape for Aaranyak for close to two decades, first stepped inside Manas to carry out research work for his PhD on the grassland ecosystem of the national park. Gradually, he came to understand the need for its protection, for which he realised that community involvement was imperative.

Manas was devastated during a violent phase in which armed extremists carried out massive tree felling inside the park, decimating vegetation that had evolved over hundreds of years. Rampant poaching obliterated the tiger and rhino population. forest department infrastructure was burnt down.

In its aftermath, the young zoologist faced difficulties in building ties with members of the local Bodo community. He started interacting with some of the youths, who he trained in wildlife observation. The boys, in time, became fully equipped to act as guides to visitors and researchers. Some of them were encouraged to form an ecotourism society, a first for Manas National Park.

Dr Lahkar and his team have been doing capacity building for local communities in dozens of venues around the National Park.

Referring to the present environmental situation in Assam and the rest of the North East, Dr Lahkar said much remains to be done in areas such as conservation of sacred groves, preservation of seeds, watershed conservation, rescue and rehabilitation, and solid waste management, among others. These issues could also be better addressed with the collaboration of government agencies, NGOs and local communities, he added.

VKIC Foundation Day Celebration 2017

Vivekananda Kendra Institute of Culture (VKIC) celebrated its 21st foundation day on 31st January 2017 at WM Auditorium, VKIC. The main highlight of the program was the conferring of VKIC Sanmaanee award 2017. Every year VKIC honours a person of repute who has been tirelessly working for the promotion of indigenous faith and culture on its foundation day. This time the award was conferred on Srimad Shyamananda Brahmachari of West Garo hills. The Award carries a citation, memento, shalleng chadar and a sum of Rs 25,000.

In his welcome address, Dr Parimal Chandra Bhattacharjee, (Director Research Advisory Council, VKIC) stated that the objective of VKIC is to find the commonalities existing within the different ethnic communities focusing mainly on the cultural aspect of the communities. VKIC works with the belief that “Cultures nurtures Unity”.

Srimad Shyamananda Brahmachari, this year’s VKIC Sanmaanee in his acceptance speech shared his experiences of taking up the task of working for upliftment of people of various communities belonging to Hajong, Koch, Garo and Rabha communities. He made an appeal to the people to support him in his struggle to retain the indigenous faith, traditions and culture of the various ethnic communities. He said that lack of education and employment opportunities were compelling people to forsake their ancient beliefs, culture and heritage.

The Chief Guest of the Program Prof. Anil Dattatraya Sahasrabudhe made a power point presentation on, “Innovation: Key to India’s Transformation”. In his presentation Prof Sahasrabudhe, currently the Chairman of All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), showcased the rich innovative spirit and skills prevalent during ancient times and had stressed the need of encouraging “Innovation” among the younger generation of today. He also highlighted the steps taken up by the government of India towards this end with steps like MyGov.in, an e-initiative for citizens to participate in innovative programs. He however added that the ambience of creating an innovative atmosphere lies with the people and not just with the government.

Earlier on, as part of the foundation day celebration, a panel discussion on the topic, “Development through Culture” was held on 29th Jan 2017. Shri Kashinath Hazarika, Former Chairman, North Eastern Development Finance Corporation Limited (NEDFi) moderated the session; Prof Kalyan Das Honorary Associate Director VKIC, Dipankar Mahanta, Member of Executive Council, VKIC and Dr. Manjit Das, Associate Professor, Bodoland University were the main speakers of the day. The panel discussion was held with the intent of understanding how north east region - rich in human, cultural and natural resources - can march ahead ensuring sustainability of sensitive ecological chains. It also sought to understand the locality specific production spaces, their inherent behavioural and cultural characteristics, the initiatives and the institutions and how all would interact to ensure sustainability and wellbeing of all. 

Forest-Community Interface – a new lecture series under Sanskriti Anveshak

Vivekananda Kendra Institute of Culture (VKIC) have started a new lecture series on Forest-Community Interface under Sanskriti Anveshak. Sanskriti Anveshak is a platform of VKIC that provides scope for intellectual discussion and research focussing primarily on traditional culture of indigenous communities of North East India.

The first lecture was on 25th November 2016, on “Climate change: Forest and Forest Communities” and for this curtain raising lecture VKIC invited Dr. Alka Bharaga IFS, Additional Chief Conservator of Forests, Govt of Assam. Dr. Pradip Sharma, Associate Professor, Dept of Geography, Cotton College moderated the lecture.

Dr. Bhargava emphasised on the Govt. schemes and projects and the role/scope of communities and thereby sharing benefits. The lecture was followed by a lively interaction.

10th Vedanta VachaspatiRadhaNathPhukan Memorial Lecture

India has made rapid strides in space research within a short span of time, and we can expect significant breakthroughs in the near future.

Today, the world recognizes India’s capacities in this field, which was not the case earlier. This was one of the views expressed by distinguished scientist DrJitendraNathGoswami recently. 

Delivering  the 10th Vedanta VachaspatiRadhaNathPhukan Memorial Lecture – ‘From a Fishing Hamlet to Moon and Mars’ – organized by the Vivekananda Kendra Institute of Culture, he said that there is a whole range of technology that ISRO has mastered in the area of space exploration through the dedication of its scientists, many of whom are women. 

Working in six or more separate areas they have come up with ideas and inventions which have been synergized to develop technology for producing both satellites and launch vehicles. Many of the technologies were created indigenously because those could not be purchased by India from foreign countries which own them. 

The success of the Chandrayaan 1 has shown that India is capable of planetary exploration containing many challenges. “Space exploration, including one like Chandrayaan Mission is unforgiving. There is no scope for error.” 

On ISRO’s Mars Orbiter Mission he said that its success is significant, because India achieved it through relatively modest budget, and did it on the very first attempt. Currently many nations have come forward to collaborate with India taking the country’s space technology very seriously.  

Today ISRO’s payload delivery system is so reliable that many other countries and foreign companies use its launch vehicles put their satellites in orbit.

He said that sending a space craft beyond Mars would present some hurdles. The propulsion system needed to carry them over very long distances would have to be very sophisticated and unlike those which are currently available with India. A foreign country will not easily sell such a technology to us. 

The occasion was also marked by the release of the book, Development Through Culture written by eminent thinker S. Gurumurthy. Published by VKIC, the volume focuses on the traditional cultural strengths of India being used to create and sustain comprehensive economic development in the country. 

Earlier Dipok Kumar Barthakur, Chairman of VKIC delivered the welcome lecture and spoke about the institution’s activities, which centre around protecting and promoting the culture of Indigenous communities of N E India and showing the commonalties they have with the rest of India.

VKIC Newsletter

10th Vedanta Vachaspati Radhanath Phukan Memorial Lecture at VKIC

GUWAHATI, Nov 14 - India has made rapid strides in space research within a short span of time, and we can expect significant breakthroughs in the near future. Today, the world recognises India’s capacities in this field, which was not the case earlier.

This was one of the views expressed by distinguished scientist Dr Jitendra Nath Goswami at the tenth Vedanta Vachaspati Radhanath Phukan Memorial Lecture – ‘From a Fishing Hamlet to Moon and Mars’ – organised by the Vivekananda Kendra Institute of Culture recently.

Dr Goswami said there is a whole range of technology that ISRO has mastered in the area of space exploration through the dedication of its scientists, many of whom are women.

“Working in six or more separate areas, they have come up with ideas and inventions which have been synergised to develop technology for producing both satellites and launch vehicles. Many of the technologies were created indigenously because those could not be purchased by India from foreign countries which own them,” he observed.

Stating that the success of the Chandrayaan 1 has shown that India is capable of planetary exploration containing many challenges, Dr Goswami said space exploration, including ones like the Chandrayaan Mission, is unforgiving and that there is no scope for error.

On ISRO’s Mars Orbiter Mission, he said its success is significant, because India achieved it through a relatively modest budget, and did it on the very first attempt. Currently many nations have come forward to collaborate with India taking the country’s space technology very seriously.

Today ISRO’s payload delivery system is so reliable that many other countries and foreign companies use its launch vehicles to put their satellites in orbit.

He said that sending a spacecraft beyond Mars would present some hurdles. “The propulsion system needed to carry them over very long distances would have to be very sophisticated and unlike those which are currently available with India. A foreign country will not easily sell such a technology to us,” he added.

The occasion was also marked by the release of the book, Development Through Culture written by eminent thinker S Gurumurthy. Published by VKIC, the volume focuses on the traditional cultural strengths of India being used to create and sustain comprehensive economic development in the country. 

Ref: http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/detailsnew.asp?id=nov1516/city056

VKIC Annual Report 2015-16

Another year has passed, and we at VKIC continue our mission of protecting and promoting the ancient wisdom and traditions of North East India. The evaluation of the activities possibly lies not in the size and shape of them, but in identification of the core value within them.

In the midst of the rush for dissecting the differences amongst the communities, in their attire and food, minor variations in the rites and rituals, the job and mission of exploring the core unity is a challenging task. VKIC is committed to this cause.

The year's activities covered an unique three-day seminar on Sawra community, held in Moran of Dibrugarh district, Assam. The Sawra is one of the tea communities of Assam rich in traditional culture. Facets of their lifestyle, rites and rituals and other important aspects of the community with definitive characteristics were presented by the community members in the seminar.

The seminar on Bodo community - from the perspective of change and continuity –covered wide ranging community characteristics, which were elaborated by the experts from the community.

The Annual Minati Hazarika Memorial Lecture was delivered by Prof. Purneswar Nath,former head of the Assamese Department, Darrang College, on the topic: “Patriotismand Nationalism in the Literary Works of Lakshminath Bezbaruah.

In the Foundation Day of VKIC the highlight of the programme was the conferring of VKIC Sanmanee award to Mizo preceptor Puitham Rorelliana for the year 2016. The Sanmaan was presented by chief guest of the function, Sri Ranjan Chatterjee, former Chief Secretary of Meghalaya. He also delivered the VKIC Foundation Day Lecture on thetopic: "Development Perspectives of North East India and Environmental Concerns.

Apart from these some other activities which were taken up included: Photography Workshop at Arya Vidyapeeth College, and a number of yoga sessions organized indifferent places of Guwahati, where trainers from VKIC highlighted the theoretical and practical dimensions of this great Indian tradition.

A few books and publications also saw the light of the day. They further reinforced VKIC's position as an intellectual fountainhead and an emerging think tank in this part of our motherland.

click here for Annual Activity Report 2015-16 of Vivekananda Kendra Institute of Culture

Junior Fellowships to do empirical studies areas of Culture and Development of Northeast India

Vivekananda Kendra Institute of Culture, Guwahati is offering a few Junior Fellowships to do empirical studies in the areas of Culture and Development of Northeast India.

Selected applicants will have to work under supervision of assigned supervisors, get involved in academic activities of the Institute and produce a publishable work. The duration of the fellowship is six months. Each fellowship carries an amount of Rs. 15,000/ per month.    

Interested persons preferably with post-graduate degree in the disciplines of sociology, anthropology, geography, cultural studies, economics, history, education, environmental sciences, botany and plant sciences may apply with a concept note (500 words) and curriculum vitae by August 15, 2016. The application is to be mailed to the Director (director@vkic.org), Research Advisory Council, Vivekananda Kendra Institute of Culture, Uzanbazar, Guwahati – 781 001.

Dr. Minati Hazarika Lecture 2016, VKIC

4th Minati Hazarika lecture went well today in Jorhat in association with Vivekananda Kendra Kanyakumari Branch Jorhat.

Attendance was 70. Dr Pabitra Pran Goswami, former Principal, Jorhat College presided over the meeting. He extended gratitude to VKIC for organising such an enriched lecture here in Jorhat and for contribution of VKIC in cultural domain.  Prof Anil Saikia, Former Principal, Moran Col

lege delivered the memorial lecture on Ballad Songs of Asom. Prof Saikia explained the origin, background, classification of ballads singing the songs in Harmonium. How the ballads give us an idea of the social scenario and culture of a particular time was very clearly depicted in the lecture.

Welcome address was delivered by Sri Saumitra Puzari, Saha Prant Pramukh, Assam Prant. The introduction of Vivekananda Kendra with special reference to VKIC was conducted by Sri Dipankar Mohanta, EC member, VKIC.

Kathakali Bhattacharjee offered the vote of thanks.

The comparing part was conducted by Sri Swarup Sharma, Vibhag Pramukh, Jorhat-Sivasagar Vibhag. Man. Pravinji, Smt Sova Rani Sarma, Prant Pramukh, Assam Prant, Kum Raboti baidau were present in the lecture. A follow up planning meeting from VKIC perspective was also there with organising team in presence of Man Pravinji after the program. We have planned Quest subscription, Quest article contribution, regular focused sitting with focussed group in Jorhat are finalised.

Seminar on Traditional System of the Bodo Community Change and Continuity

Start: 10/31/2015 09:00

End: 11/01/2015 18:00

Timezone: Asia/Calcutta

VKIC foundation day 2015

Chairman VKIC, Dipok Kr Barthakur, delivering the welcome address mentioned that this year is significant for VKIC as it the birth centenary year of Eknathji Ranade, the founding father of Vivekananda Kendra and Vivekananda Rock Memorial. His vision to establish a centre to study the culture of Northeast of India led to the inception of Vivekananda Institute of Culture (VKIC) in 1993.

VKIC has been carrying out various activities in Northeast India especially in Arunachal and Assam. The various studies on different communities carried out by VKIC revealed that though the communities unique in their own way shared many commonalities in their belief system, practices, food habits etc. It is this commonality that VKIC highlights to identify the unifying links among the different communities. To achieve this end VKIC conducts seminars, lecture series, documentation and so on. VKIC also comes out with a bi-annual researched based journal Quest which is well received among the intellectuals and the academia.

In the year 1999, VKIC conceived the idea of felicitating a person from Northeast who has done tremendous service in protecting, preserving and promoting indigenous faith amongst its people. Since then, every year, VKIC Sanmaan is conferred on a person of repute on the foundation day of VKIC.

It is a great privileged for VKIC to be conferring the award on Sri Ramkuiwangbe Newmme of Dimasa Hasao. Sri Ramkui, President, Zeliangrong Heraka Association, Nagaland, Manipur & Assam tirelessly work for the promotion of Heraka faith of the Zeliangrong community overcoming even death threat. Sri Ramkuiji had worked closely with Rani Ma Gaidilui, the great freedom fighter, whom Pandit Nehru described her as the,”Queen of Hills”.  This year is also the centenary year of Rani Ma Gaidilui.

VKIC is happy to have Sri Ramkuiwangbe,VKIC Sanmaanee  and V.V.Bhatt, as Chief Guest on its foundation day and extends a warm welcome to both the distinguished guest and to all.

Speech by V.V.Bhatt:

Chief Guest of the Day, Sri V.V. Bhatt, thanked the institute for inviting him on its foundation day. He presented a power point presentation on the issues facing the Northeast. He said that Northeast cannot be conceived as a single entity because of its diversity. The problem facing Northeast can be seen from the point of national security,internal security,regional security and  it is important to redefine the concept of development accordingly. Development is no longer considered in terms of economic growth only. The concept of development has changed drastically but what we follow as paradigm or parameter keeps continuing for a long time. We need to jettison based on our experiences, new thoughts and new schemes need to be incorporated.

The needs of Northeast are best understood by the local people. Northeast cannot follow the development policies followed elsewhere. A development policy of the Northeast has to be resource based. It has to look into development programme where natural resources are used to the maximum without destroying the ecology. How can we improve in our agricultural, forestry, handloom, and handicraft products needs to be worked out? The concept of border check post needs to be replaced by border trade post for facilitating trade with the neighbouring countries. Hydro power sector of the Northeast needs to be developed to be able to sell to the neighbouring countries.

There is a need of formal policies based on negotiation and discussion. Central government’s intervention in terms of kinds should be appreciative. It is the responsibility of the state govenment to create a conducive environment for development projects to be implemented. If we don’t have the implementation ability, development goals in terms of health, education, poverty reduction, employment etc wouldn’t be realized. Northeast people need to ponder over how to create local institutions that caters to local needs. Northeast need social leaders and social mobilization. New propositions for better development need to chalk out.

VKIC Preserving The Culture And Tradition Of N-E

India is the only country where the sublime truth of unity in diversity has been understood, appreciated and also practiced from time immemorial. We Indians have done this with regard to the various castes, communities and religions within India. We have also accepted and assimilated people from across the borders, whether they came to India as invaders, traders or refugees. In course of time, all of them have been accommodated in our national and cultural framework, as Swami Vivekananda stated: “We have never been a conquering race, and this blessing is with us.” This is because we never believed that we have to bulldoze all humanity into one, uniform, monotonous mould. It is only because we believe in our culture and that follows in our tradition.

In order to break this firm belief of Indian nation, the external forces are time and again trying to hit this cultural sentiment of the people, particularly in the Northeast. Under these circumstances, it is absolutely necessary that all our efforts should be made to re-discover the fundamental unity of India. With the idea of preserving art, culture and tradition of the people of the Northeast, Vivekananda Kendra Institute of Culture [VKIC] at Guwahati, Assam, came into existence in the year 1996, primarily with four-fold focus of exploration, propagation, motivation and execution.

The idea behind this institute is to study, do research and propagate the national unity of India, which is the crying need of the time, particularly with regard to the north-eastern region, where separatist and other forces are extremely active to disrupt the unity of India. The approach is governed by Swami Vivekananda’s thought: "Elevation of the masses without injuring their religion.”
But the challenges the region is facing are geographical, demographic, ideological and intellectual. These challenges include 4,500 km-long international border with five foreign countries, namely Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, China and Nepal; A mere 22-kilometre land corridor connects it with the rest of India; Sparse population; The Chinese claim over Arunachal Pradesh, and of late, over Sikkim; Indigenous faith and culture under siege due to infiltration, anti-national and terrorist movements; West-centric theories of isolationism and separatism; Westernisation in the garb of modernization; Diversity/variety misinterpreted as separateness.

Communities of the Northeast, torn by attack on its traditional faith and culture, on its land, on its people, on its way of life, on its family and community bonds, needed the healing touch—a healing touch to understand itself, to live purposefully with self-respect and self-worth; in short, a healing touch to intellectually understand themself as a whole. Against this backdrop, a project of Vivekananda Kendra with its headquarters in Kanyakumari, the Vivekananda Kendra Institute of Culture (VKIC) was established to nurture roots through seminars, research, documentation and publications on the Northeast of India. The objectives of this project are to understand the richness of our traditional systems, to identify the unifying elements that bind us, to provide meaningful continuity to these practices in a fast-changing complex lifestyle, and to be relevant in time, hence development through culture.
It is needless to state that every part of India—east, west, south or north—has equally enriched the cultural life of India and each, in its own distinct way, has contributed to the rich and colorful national edifice. The picture would have been incomplete without the contribution of even the smallest among them.

Talking to Uday India, Prof DC Baroowa, Director, Research Advisory Council, Vivekananda Kendra Institute of Culture, Guwahati, said that The VKIC is doing tremendous work in preserving and documenting the cultural heritage of the northeast region. He also added: “This Institute provides the necessary research facilities to scholar doing research on the Northeast. The VKIC has been granted recognition as a research institute by Dibrugarh University, Assam.”

So far, the VKIC has completed six detailed documentation projects. These are Heritage of Kamakhya on Nilachala Hills, The Adis of the Siang Valley, Theravadi Buddhist Monastaries, The Dimasas of North Cachar Hills, The Sattra Institution of Asom, and Documentation of the Rabha Culture of Assam.

The VKIC publications too are significant because they try to communicate culture authentically—through the practitioner’s perspective. So far, 23 significant books have been brought out and a regular bi-annual journal, Quest is also being brought out by the Institute to propagate the cultural depth of the Northeast.
The north-eastern region being surrounded by international border has always been extremely sensitive from the strategic point of view. It continues to be so even today. The Partition of India, instead of solving the issue, has made it more complicated.

Demographic equilibrium has come under strain through external factors like the influx of refugees, immigrants and infiltrators. Every nation is worried about the imbalance created by this inflow of human race from one country to another and takes steps to guard against the threat posed by them. There is a tolerance level beyond which no nation can permit alien inflow. If it allows the intolerance, out of indifference, ignorance or incompetence, the price that has to be paid is self-extinction in the course of time.

Every state in the north-eastern region is now facing the problem of people coming in either as refugees, immigrants or infiltrators from across the border. We have to be constantly alert to see whether the tolerance level is being crossed and what the impact of the inflow is on our socio-economic and cultural life. No nation can afford to be indifferent in this regard.

Swami Vivekananda, after whom the entire organisation is named, had realised the importance of the Northeast region with his deep vision. Towards the end of his earthly career, having almost completed his mission, he visited places like Guwahati and Shillong on a pilgrimage, taking his mother along with him. His biographers have pointed out how disturbed he was at the state of affairs of the region at that time. Things have not improved since then.
Pravin Dabholkar, Joint General Secretary of Vivekananda Kendra, Kanyakumari, with special responsibility of the Northeast, who is now stationed at Vivekananda Kendra Institute of Culture, Guwahati, spoke to Uday India. He said: “The VKIC is an initiative by Vivekananda Kendra, Kanyakumari, the spiritually-oriented service mission, headquartered at Kanyakumari. It was founded in 1972 by Eknathji Ranade as a logical sequel to the Vivekananda Rock Memorial, situated off Kanyakumari. Dedicated to the task of national regeneration as envisaged by the patriot-saint, Swami Vivekananda, the Kendra currently works in 21 states through 650 branch centres, projects and activity centers. Although the VKIC was started in the year 1996, the centre was a dream of Eknathji Ranade, who was deeply concerned about the problems and developments in the Northeastern region. Ever since its inception, it has undertaken a number of service activities in the Northeast region. A splendorous region with a rich cultural heritage, the Northeast, in all walks of life, always expressed the great truth of Indian culture unity in variety.”

The VKIC is doing yeoman service for the Northeast. Knowledgeable elders and educated elites are coming together for the nourishment of culture; youth are getting involved to preserve culture; writing and interpreting from the practitioners’ perspective is taking place; Terminology of West-centric scholars being scrutinised and there is an increase in inter and intra community understanding and relationship and with that of India as a whole. 

Courtesy : Jaydeep Dasgupta, Uday India dtd 20th July 2013

Institute of Culture NewsLetter : October2012 - March2013

Vivekananda Kendra Institue of Culture NewsLetter : October2012 - March2013

VKIC NewsLetter : October2012 - March2013

Book Release & NRL CONFERENCE HALL INAUGURATED AT THE VKIC, Guwahati

The Numaligarh Refinery Ltd. Conference Hall was inaugurated on 21 March, 2012, at the Vivekananda Kendra Institute of Culture premises in Uzan Bazar, Guwahati.
The Conference Hall, sponsored by the Numaligarh Refinery Ltd., is meant to facilitate small gatherings with a seating capacity of thirty.  The Conference Hall was inaugurated by Shri Deepak Chakravarty, Managing Director, NRL, in the presence of Mananeeya Shri A. Balakrishnanji, Vice President, Vivekananda Kendra Kanyakumari and Shri Dipok Kr. Barthakur, Chairman, VKIC.
Shri Manish Tibrewal, MEP Consultant, Shri Avinash Chirania, Architect, and Shri Bijoy Sharma, Artist, were felicitated by Mananeeya Shri A. Balakrishnanji on the occasion for their contribution and painstaking efforts in giving shape to the Conference Hall. Speaking on the occasion Shri Balakrishnanji recalled the close relationship between Vivekananda Kendra and the NRL.
The latest VKIC Publication, The Main Ceremonies of the Khasi was also released on the occasion by Shri Dipak Chakravarty. The book was translated by Bijoya Sawian from the original Khasi written by K.S. Marbaniang, Sitimon Sawian and Wallamphang Roy.
Addressing the gathering, Sri Dipak Chakravarty said that for the NRL, corporate social responsibility is not something imposed; it is a duty discharged from the heart. The association with the Vivekananda Kendra dates back to 1997 when the NRL was being set up and the Management was keen that value-oriented service is needed not only in the township but in the environs especially in the field of health.  The Kendra responded and the NRL appreciates the dedication and selflessness of the Vivekananda Kendra, he said. With the inauguration of the conference hall, he looked forward to the association with the VKIC, he said.

Workshop on Methods of Research and Proposal Writing at VKIC

Workshop on Methods of Research and Proposal Writing on Culture and Development Issues of Northeast India at VKIC

Vivekananda Kendra Institute of Culture, Guwahati organised a four-day workshop on Methods of Research and Proposal Writing on Culture and Development Issues of Northeast India from 1-4 February 2012. The workshop module aimed to fill the gaps in methods of research, develop research capacity of participants as well as concretise study concepts and proposals to a deliverable research output

The participants were from varied disciplines of Social Sciences from different universities of Assam, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh. Each made a presentation on their topic of research on which the Resource Persons- Prof.  Priyam Goswami, Prof. Shiela Borah, Dr. Kalyan Das, Dr. Sukanya Sharma and Asst. Prof. Bosanta Kumar Borah gave valuable inputs. The Resource persons also spoke on different aspects of research and proposal writing such as conceptualising of research issues, sources, review of literature & reference writing, research design, sampling and sources of data, etc.

Former Vice-Chancellor, Arunachal University and Member, Research Advisory Council of VKIC, Prof. A.C. Bhagabati, delivered a special lecture on Historical, Anthropological and Folklore Dimensions of Identity and Inter-community Relations: Snippets from the Hills and Plains of North East India.  Gving away the Certificate of Participation to the research scholars, he rue the fact that academicians had focussed more on careers; this might be alright for other countries but not for a country like India, he said. He appealed to the participants to take up research such that it invigorates society.

The workshop is the first of its kind by the VKIC, recognised as a Research Institute by Dibrugarh University. It was inaugurated on 1 February 2012 by Prof. D.C. Baroowa, Director, Research Advisory Council, VKIC.