Vivekananda Kendra has been relentlessly working towards social change, converting the spiritual fervour of individuals into works of national reconstruction
Vivekananda Kendra, Kanyakumari, has been conferred with the prestigious Gandhi Peace Prize for the year 2015 for its contribution in rural development, education, and development of natural resources. The Vivekananda Kendra has been relentlessly working towards social change, converting the spiritual fervour of individuals into works of national reconstruction. The organisation conducts Yoga classes, seminars, and rural development activities, across the country, with a special focus on north eastern states of Bharat.
A doctor treats the patients at a camp by Vivekanand Kendra in NE
Congratulating the Kendra, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi later said in a tweet, “The Vivekananda Kendra is doing commendable work towards the development of our villages. Their initiatives to improve education and community service have touched several lives, particularly youngsters.”
Responding to the official announcement, Vivekananda Kendra expressed its gratitude and said, ”Thank you for recognising the work of thousands of karyakartas of the Kendra. Their commitment continues with the support of the society.”
“Thanks to Prime Minister for recognising the work of thousands of karyakartas of the Kendra. Their commitment continues with the support of the society” —Vivekananda KendraPremised on the principles preached by Swami Vivekananda, the Kendra was founded on January 7, 1972, in Kanyakumari by Eknath Ranade, a senior RSS pracharak. Currently, senior RSS Pracharak Shri Parameswaran and Sushri Nivedita Bhide are serving as president and vice president of the Kendra respectively.
Aimed at actualising Swami Vivekananda’s vision of Jagadguru Bharat, the Kendra, through ‘Karyapaddhati’ generates and channelises the awareness of the need of organised work for the regeneration of nation to undertake a number of activities. Kendra karyakartas are spreading Swamiji’s message of selfless service and love for the country and pride in our culture through these karyapaddatis.
Vivekananda Kendra
- Over 64 schools for tribal and rural children in Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Assam, Andmans, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka
- Hostel for tribal children
- 150 Balwadis all over the country
- Non-formal school for preservation of Vedic Vidyas
- Personality Development Camps
- Youth Camps to motivate them for leading a meaningful life
- Cultural examinations to increase awareness among students about glorious Indian culture
- Non-formal education through audio-visuals
- Women Awareness Camps for tribal women to promote meaningful life
- Vocational Training in Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu
- Daily offering of handful rice to feed around 12,000 rural children
With the four-decades-long relentless service, the Vivekananda Kendra has emerged as torch-bearer of social change in the north-eastern region of the country. Dedicated persons were appointed from different parts of the country as teachers. They belonged to all the states of the country, who left their luxuries as the youth and decided to serve the land of rising Sun. By establishing schools with the residential facility, the Vivekananda Kendra was reinstating the ancient Gurukul system wherein the students stay with teachers in a homely atmosphere.
Some of these activities are undertaken by projects especially created to cater to the needs efficiently. Vivekananda Kendra Natural Resources Development Programme, Vivekananda Kendra Vedic Vision Foundation, Vivekananda Kendra Arun Jyoti, Vivekananda Kendra Institute of Culture, Vivekananda Kendra Medical and Research Foundation, Vivekananda International Foundation, Vivekananda Kendra Vidyalaya Arunachal Pradesh Trust, Vivekananda Kendra Shiksha Prasar Vibhag, Vivekananda Kendra Utkal Seva Prakalp, Vivekananda Kendra Seva Va Prashikshan Prakalp and Vivekananda Kendra Prakashan are some examples.
The Kendra organises every year three stage Karyakata Prashikshan camps to induct new workers to its cadre. Besides numbers of camps like Yoga Shibir, Spiritual Retreat, Maitri Shibir, Personality Development Shibir are also organised at different places.
