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Vivekananda Kendra Kanyakumari

-a spiritually oriented service mission -http://www.vkendra.org

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…..a thought movement

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Early beginnings……..

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Swami Vivekananda wandered all over Bharat

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………and finally reached Land's End –

Kanyakumari.

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.....…………...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.

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“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!

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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.

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“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.”

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Swamiji began organising the spiritual

forces for upholding Dharma in World.

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“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’s plan for rejuvenating Bharat…

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“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

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“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 4th July 1902.

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1963, the centenary year of Swamiji's Birth.Celebrations to mark the occasion and

remember the great transformer of Humanity.

A thought ………….A befitting memorial on the Rock where he meditated, and got

the vision.

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Challenging Task – politically, technically, humanly.

Responsibility entrusted on Mananeeya Eknathji Ranade – Compiler of Swamiji's thoughts in "Rousing call to Hindu Nation”, and brilliant Organiser and leader of men and ideas.

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Eknathji overcame all obstacles – political, technical, economical - turning them into opportunities. He effectively won over the support of 323 Members of Parliament, over 30 lakhs people and several State

Governments for the construction of the Memorial – making it a truly National Memorial.

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Glimpses of Rock Memorial Construction

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For two months, the celebrations were on, pilgrims from all over India paid homage to

Swamiji's meditation and message.

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Vivekananda Rock Memorial – memorial in Granite – the first phase for carrying ahead

the work of Swamiji.

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Eknathji embarked the second phase – Vivekananda Kendra – memorial of Swamiji

in flesh and blood.

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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 connected with nation building.

It is the core of all our thoughts behind Vivekananda Kendra.

Eknathji’s thought behind Vivekananda Kendra

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Yoga (the Core of Vivekananda

Kendra)

Bringing together the scattered spiritual forces for National Union – Rashtra Nirman –

Process of Man making for Nation Building.

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Vivekananda Kendra – Nationwide Organisation

220 Branch Centres spread all over India – from Palitana in West to Khonsa in

East, Kashmir in North to Kanyakumari in South. All metros, many state

capitals and villages have Kendra branch. Main activities : Yoga Varga, Samskar Varga, Swadhayaya Varga, Utsavas, Shibirs, Competitions and

drives.

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Twin Objectives

Man-Making - Nation Building

“To develop National character of a man, to develop creative leadership amongst the society, to transform

an ordinary man to do extraordinary work. All the constituents strive collectively for something

noble….Service with spiritual orientation results in man-making which invariably and inseparably

connected with nation building. All the constituents strive collectively for something noble.”

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Man-Making through

- Karyapadhdhati -Yoga Varga, Samskar Varga, Swadhyaya Varga

- Utsavas

- Shibirs

- Projects

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Swadhyaya Varga–coming together, thinking together and working together for national resurgence.

Yoga Varga – to integrate individual with the society and establishing the Yoga way of life in all.

Samskar Varga – to instill nationalism, cultural values and total personality development in children.

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Utsavas

“Samarth Bharat Parva”

“Guru Poornima”

“Universal Brotherhood Day”

“Sadhana Diwas”

“Gita Jayanti”

Vivekananda Kendra Utsavas are with national perspective – to awaken national consciousness.

Also, for revitalizing the significance of the principles behind the Utsavas.

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Samarth Bharat Parva(From 25th 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.

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Guru Poornima(Ashadh Poornima)

Objective:To inculcate respect & pride towards our Forefathers – Remembrance of our Guru, 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.

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Universal Brotherhood Day(11th September)

Objective: Commemorating Swamiji’s message of Universal Brotherhood - inclusiveness, not exclusiveness - delivered in World Parliament of Religions on 11th September 1893.

Programs: Competitions in schools, colleges; seminars, group-discussions, in-depth study of Swamiji’s teachings.

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Sadhana Diwas(19th 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.

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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.

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Shibirs

-Yoga Shiksha Shibir

-Spiritual Retreat

-Karyakarta Prashikshan Shibirs

-Acharya Prashikshan Shibir

-Youth Shibirs

Shibirs organised in Vivekanandapuram – awaken the dormant spirit – yoking it to development of self and

also the nation – ignited people alone can bring about the desired change.

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Projects

Vivekananda Kendra has several projects for the cause of Education, Culture and

Sustainable Development. These projects are spread all over the country and are

expanding in their reach and effect.

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Arun JyotiObjective: Development through Culture

Activities: Anaupacharik Shiksha Manch, Swasthya Seva Manch, Yuva Manch, Mahila Manch, Samskritik Manch.

Located in Arunachal Pradesh

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Arun Jyoti Activities

MAHILA MANCH YUVA MANCH SWASTHYA MANCH

ANAUPACHARIK SHIKSHA MANCH

SANSKRITIK MANCH

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Vivekananda Kendra Institute of Culture

Objective : To bring forth the unique attributes of the North-East and nourish the commonalities.

Activities : Organisation of Seminars, workshops, documentation, project, lecture series, study circle and a reference library.

Location : 1. Guwahati 2. A VKIC Arunachal Chapter at Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh.

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Vivekananda Kendra Institute of Culture

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Vivekananda Rural Welfare ProjectObjective : Socio-Economic Project aimed at all round

development of Tribal Women

Activities: Training cum production centre in weaving, knitting, tailoring, embroidery, different agro based training and

demonstration, a day scholar school and awareness camp.

Location: Khatkhati, Assam

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Vivekananda Kendra Skill Training Projects

Objective : Basic Training in tailoring and vocational skills for rural girls and boys.

Location : 1. Wacro, Lohit, Arunachal Pradesh: 2. Kallubalu, Bangalore

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Vivekananda Kendra Prashikshan Va Seva Prakalp

Objective :Training of workers of Vivekananda Kendra and service activities for the locals.

Activities : Camps, Balwadis, Health Centre and Boys’ Hostel.

Location : Pimplad, Nasik, Maharashtra

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Objective: To support tribal communities in Kendujhar district - Odisha

Activities:Anandalaya for rural children, Anandalaya Acharya Prasikhan Shibirs, Camps for children and youth, Cultural examinations,

Support to youths for pursuing higher studies,Health camps, Mobile Audio Visual Library, Publication of books, Village meetings

VK Utkal Seva Seva Prakalp

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“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.”

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Vivekananda Kendra VidyalayasObjective : To impart Man-Making and Nation

Building Education.

Located in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Nagaland, Andamans, Karnataka and Tamilnadu.

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Today, there are 61 Vivekananda Kendra Vidyalayas in 6 States and more than 25,000 students are given

Man-Making Character building education as envisaged by Swami Vivekananda

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Samuhik Suryanamaskar

World’s largest Yoga Class organised by

Vivekananda Kendra at Gwalior on 19 November 2005 –

29,992 Students!

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Vivekananda Kendra Prakashan Trust

Objective : To spread the noble thoughts of Swami Vivekananda and healthy literature to inspire youth with the message.

Activities : Publication in English, Hindi, Marathi, Gujarati, Assamese and Tamil.

Location: Chennai, Jodhpur, Pune, Palitana and Guwahati.

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Vivekananda Kendra Prakashan TrustMagazine Language

Yuva Bharati English

Kendra Bharati Hindi

Vivek Vani Tamil

Vivek Vichar Marathi

Vivek Sudha Gujarati

Vivek Jagruti Assamese+English

Vishva Bhanu Malayalam

Vivekanada Kendra Patrika

English

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“It is a privilege to serve mankind, for this is the

worship of God; God is here, in all these human souls. He

is the soul of man.”

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Vivekananda Kendra Medical Research FoundationObjective : Medical Sevices

Activities : Vivekananda Kendra (NRL) Hospital – Treatment through modern technology and medical camps in 13 villages regularly. 2. VK Hospital, Pullong, Mobile Medical Services.

Location : 1. Numaligarh, Golaghat, Assam 2.Tirap, Arunachal Pradesh.

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“Here and here alone the human heart expanded till it included not only the

human, but birds, beasts and plants, from the highest gods to grains of sand and

highest and the lowest, all find a place in the heart of man, grown great, infinite. And here alone the human soul studied

the universe as one unbroken unity whose every pulse was his own pulse.”

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Natural Resources Development Project

Objective : Sustainable Development

Activities : Cost effective housing, water management, organic farming, indigenous health system, renewable

energy.

Location : Kanyakumari

Internationally acclaimed through

Ashden Award 2005

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“Let new India arise in your place. Let her arise – out of the peasants’ cottage, grasping the plough, out of huts of the

fisherman, the cobbler and the sweeper. Let her spring from the gorcer’s shop,

from beside the oven of the fritter-seller. Let her emanate from the

factory, from the groves and forests, from hills and mountains.”

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Rural Development ProjectObjective: To motivate rural people to adhere to and

nurture the cherished values of Sanatana Dharma.Activities : Drinking water, Relief programs, Cultural classes, Amrud

Surubhi, aid to poor students, Balawadis, Cultural competitions, Camps, Medical centres, Women’s activities, Youth programs,

Eye care, Adopt a granny, Deep Poojas.

Location : Toothukudi, Tamilnadu

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Rural Development Project

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“Thus it is that the Vedas proclaim not a dreadful

combination of unforgiving laws, not an endless prison of cause and

effect, but that at the head of all these laws, in and through every

particle of matter and force, stands One. “

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Vivekananda Kendra Vedic Vision Foundation

Objective : Creating a network of thinkers and scholars of Vedic Studies, Conducting research on Vedic Knowledge and supporting

Vedic Scholars, Dissemination of Vedic Knowledge in order to promote the practice of Vedic Truths in the families.

Activities: Publications, Yoga and Pranayama Courses, Personality Development Camps, Celebrations, Satsanga and Spiritual discourses.

Location : Kodungallor, Kerala

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Vivekananda Kendra Vedic Vision Foundation

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“Everything looks propitious and Indian

thought, philosophical and spiritual, must once more go

over and conquer the world.”

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Vivekananda Kendra International

Objective :Initiative for harmony between civilizations through dialogue and discussions.

Activities : Organising Conferences, Seminars and Study circles.

Location : New Delhi

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“Who will give the World light? Sacrifice in the past has been the law, it

will be, alas, for ages to come. The earth’s bravest and best will have to

sacrifice themselves for the good of the many, for the welfare of all.”

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Nation BuildersPatrons

Supporting the Karya through Karyakartas.

Local Karyakartas Householders giving time for the service.

Jeevanvrati Fully dedicated for the service of the nation for life

time - the Cadre.

Sevavrati One to two years service.

Vanaprasthi Retired elders dedicating themselves for service.

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“Let us all work hard my brothers; this is no time to

sleep. On our work depends the coming of

India of the future. She is there ready waiting, she is only sleeping. Arise, and

awake, and see her seated on her eternal throne,

rejuvenated, more glorious than She ever was, this Motherland of ours.”

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JoinVivekananda

Kendra

A R A S H T R I Y A Y A J N A

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CONTACT

Vivekananda Kendra, Kanyakumari

Vivekanandapuram,

Kanyakumari-629 702

Ph: 04652-247012

Email:info@vkendra.org

www.vkendra.org

or

its nearest Branch Centre

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Let us make the Whole World Noble