spiritually oriented service mission

1. Vivekananda Kendra Kanyakumari - a spiritually oriented service mission -

2. Swami Vivekananda, in search of His life Mission, the Mother’s work He went around Bharat………and finally reached Land's End – Kanyakumari.

3. .....…………...Here on the Rock HE meditated on Bharata - its glorious past, challenging present and destined future. HE had a vision of the destiny of Bharat, and the way to its regeneration.

4. “ If there is a land on this earth that can lay claim to be the blessed Punya-Bhoomi, to be the land to which souls on this earth must come to attain its last home, the land where humanity has attained its highest towards gentleness, towards generousity, towards purity, towards calmness, above all, the land of introspection and of spirituality – it is Bharat! Destiny of Bharat – Guide to the World……..Spiritual Lighthouse of the World!

5. Swami Vivekananda then went to World Parliament of Religions, and showed the World the way.....in Bharat, Hinduism, Vedanta. World was awed by this Spiritual light.

6. “ I am proud to belong to a religion which has taught the World both tolerance and universal acceptance. We believe not only in universal toleration but we accept all religion as true.”

7. He established Sri Ramakrishna Math and Mission and began Organised efforts to uphold the Dharma.

8. “ Divinity of Man . ” Greatest Message of Swami Vivekananda Swamiji inspired youths, leaders, scientists, entrepreneurs…… whole generation, and generations to come to develop their potential fully and apply it for common good

9. “ It may be that I shall find it good outside of my body - to cast it off like a disused garment. But I shall not cease to work! I shall inspire men everywhere, until the world shall know that it is one with God ." After having set the movement of regeneration of Bharat and the humanity through his message and work, Swamiji took Mahasamadhi on 4 th July 1902 .

10. 1963 , the centenary year of Swamiji's Birth. Celebrations went on to mark the occasion and remember the great transformer of Humanity . A thought ………….Should there not be a befitting memorial on the Rock where He meditated on Glorious Bharatmata, understood the purpose of His life?

12. Eknathji overcame all obstacles – political, technical, economical - turning them into opportunities. He effectively won over the support of 323 Members of Parliament, got contribution from over 30 lakhs people and all State Governments for the construction of the Memorial – making it truly the National Memorial.

13. Glimpses of Rock Memorial Construction

14. On 2 Sep 1970, Memorial was dedicated to the Nation. . For two months, the inauguration went on, pilgrims from all over India came & felt blessed to see the Grand Memorial.

15. Vivekananda Rock Memorial – a memorial in Granite – the first phase got completed in 1970….something more was awaiting…

16. … ..a thought movement

17. “ A hundred thousand men & women, fired with the zeal of holiness, fortified with the eternal faith in the Lord, and nerved to lion’s courage by their sympathy for the poor and the fallen and the downtrodden, will go over the length and breadth of the land, preaching the gospel of the salvation, the gospel of help, the gospel of social raising up, the gospel of equality.” Swamiji had plan for rejuvenating Bharat…

18. Mananeeya Eknathji Ranade The spirit behind Vivekananda Rock Memorial Vivekananda Kendra .. A thought movement – a Living Memorial of Swamiji – 07 January 1972

19. An aggregate or a congregation of men does not make a nation, nor do the geographical area and duration of time qualify a society to be known as a nation. A government formed on such a basis can be called a state, but not a nation. It is common goal or mission that makes a nation. All the constituents strive collectively for something noble….Service with spiritual orientation results in man-making which invariably and inseparably is connected with nation building. It is the core of all our thoughts behind Vivekananda Kendra. Eknathji’s thought behind Vivekananda Kendra

20. Yoga (the Core of Vivekananda Kendra) Bringing together the scattered spiritual forces for National Union – Rashtra Nirman – Process of Man making for Nation Building.

21. Twin Objectives Man Making - Nation Building T o develop National character of a man , To develop creative leadership amongst the society, To transform an ordinary man to do extraordinary work through Team Building. … .

22. Yoga Varga – to integrate individual with the society and establish the Yoga way of life in all. Swadhyaya Varga – Coming together, thinking together and working together for national resurgence. Samskar Varga – to instill nationalism, cultural values and total personality development in children . Karyapadhdhati – the Methodology

23. Utsavas “ Guru Poornima” “ Universal Brotherhood Day” “ Sadhana Diwas” “ Samarth Bharat Parva” “ Gita Jayanti” Vivekananda Kendra Utsavas are with national perspective – to awaken national consciousness. Also, for revitalizing the significance of the principles behind the Utsavas.

24. Guru Poornima (Ashadh Poornima ) Objective :To inculcate respect & pride towards our Forefathers – Remembrance of our Guru, OM -Ishwara – to prepare ourselves as an instrument in his hands to do his work with attitude of Sadhana. Programs : Bhajans, lectures and discussions on Guru-Shishya tradition, and its contemporary significance.

25. Universal Brotherhood Day (11 th September) Objective : Commemorating Swamiji’s message of Universal Brotherhood - inclusiveness, not exclusiveness - delivered in World Parliament of Religions on 11 th September 1893. Programs : Competitions in schools, colleges; seminars, group-discussions, in-depth study of Swamiji’s teachings.

26. Sadhana Diwas (19 th November - Eknath Jayanti) Objective : Remembering the founder of Kendra, Studying his vision, to take up responsibility and fulfilling it . Programs : Annual Meetings of Karyakartas organised, Dayitva Grahan by Karyakartas, Service as Sadhana .

27. Samarth Bharat Parva (From 25 th December to 12 January every year.) Objective :To awaken national consciousness in youth by focusing on the strengths of our nation. Programs : Exhibition, lectures, Competitions, Display of cut-outs, and distribution of free literature, Bharatmata poojan.

28. Gita Jayanti (Margashirsha Shukla Ekadashi) Objective : To popularize Geeta Study for making life purposeful and to nourish ourselves with the vision of the Rishis. Programs : Geeta recitation, lectures,Group discussions .

30. 1972 -Starting of Vivekananda Kendra Patrika (thematic half yearly English magazine)

31. 1973 - Starting of Yuva Bharati – English Monthly

33. Vivekananda Kendra Prakashan Trust

34. 1973 - Training of Jeevanvrati Karyakartas and commencement of organizational and service activities

35. 1977 - Establishment of first chain of Schools – Vivekananda Kendra Vidyalayas – in North-East

36. “ Education is not the amount of information that is put into your brain and runs riots there, undigested all your life. We must have life-building, man-making, character –making, assimilation of ideas.”

37. Today, there are 50 Vivekananda Kendra Vidyalayas in 6 States and more than 20,000 students are given Man-Making, Character building education as envisaged by Swami Vivekananda

39. Rural Development Project DRINKING WATER RELIEF PROGRAMS HEALTH CARE OF AGED WOMENS’ ACTIVITIES CULTURAL CLASSES BALWADI

42. 1986 - Commencement of Natural Resources Development Project – VK Nardep