Letter on the eve of Gurupunima Utsav from Man. Nivedita R.

Bhide,
Vice President Vivekananda Kendra, Kanyakumari
Dear Sisters and brothers
Saprem Namaskar
Utsavas festivals are for cultural continuation, for expressing
the joy of life, strengthening the collectives like family, community,
society, and nation and for expressing the gratitude towards the
creation. Utsarati iti utsava Festival is that which elevates. India is
full of various festivals. The characteristic of our festivals is that no
festival is without pooja. No festival is just for merry-making though in
every festival we do enjoy. The festivals are to make us relevant in
time as well as to continue our tradition. That is what made Hindu
dharma and our nation as Nitya Nootan Chira Pooratan that is 'ever
new and most ancient'. Some festivals are celebrated
ceremoniously with all splendour on large scale and some are
celebrated quietly but very meaningfully. The festival of
Gurupurnima comes in the second category. This year the
Gurupurnima festival is coming on 31 July.
This festival is celebrated on Ashadhi Purnima which is Jayanti
- the birth anniversary of Maharishi Veda Vyasa a son of a Rishi
Parashar and a fisherwoman Satyawati. What was his work that
made him so exalted a being that on his birthday Gurupurnima is
celebrated? He did a fourfold work.
Firstly, when he saw that the Vedas Ananta Vai Vedah a
voluminous store of knowledge discovered by seers over the ages
was in the fear of getting extinct, he collected and compiled it.
Secondly, to protect Vedas, he allotted its Shakhas-branches
to various families to be preserved by Guru-Shishya tradition. That is
in a family, father would teach to his son and along with that to some
other willing and deserving children. It would also happen that the
children would come from far off places and stay with the reputed
Guru who would treat them as part of his own family. Gradually, the
famous Gurukula system of India developed. In today's language it
was the most extensive and privatized system of education in the
world. Thus a very natural way of protection of knowledge as it was
family based was devised by him.
Thirdly, it was not just the Vedas but all the other branches of
knowledge called as Upavedas like Ayurveda including Surgery
(which was generally with barber community); Sthapatya Veda which
means sculpture including everything related to construction with
metals, stones,mortars and wood; Gandharva Veda covering music,
vocal and instrumental, dance, drama etc; Dhanurveda all skills and
knowledge related to military warfare were also systematized by
Veda Vyasa allotting its branches to various families and
communities. Thus each family of every community became a
repository of a branch of knowledge and so continuing the family
tradition got equated with continuance of knowled ge.
Fourthly, for the common man to understand the Vedic truth he
also composed Puranas, Mahabharat so that the application of
Vedic truth in life is clear to all. Religion is not just in believing but in
being and becoming. Not just the information about one's religion but
realizing the truths and then expressing it in our lives was the aim of
Sanatana Dharma. In this Guru- shishya tradition, the knowledge is

learnt by observing the life of the Guru who may be one's own parents
or a realized soul. Veda Vyasa succeeded in preserving and
inculcating the respect for tradition.
Therefore, traditionally this is the day to remember our whole
tradition of Guru starting with Bhagwan Siva and to offer our respects
to the Guru who guides us in life, who has handed over the tradition of
knowledge and wisdom to us. This is also a day to express our
gratitude and commitment to the Guru for carrying forward our culture
vibrantly, with the vision of 'Krinvanto Vishwamaryam let usmakethe
whole world noble.'
In Vivekananda Kendra we are doing the Ishwari Karya of 'Manmaking and Nation-building'. For this Ishwari karya we have Ishwara
as our Guru. Thus Omkar is our Guru. It is because of Vyasa that our
Vedic knowledge survived and also the importance of Guru-tradition
got established. Thus this is a day to remember all the Gurus who
have contributed in continuation and propagation of the Vedic
tradition. Actually when we bow down to Omkara as Guru we are
paying our obeisance to all the Gurus in our culture. Paying our
obeisance to Guru on the day of Gurupurnima also means that like
Veda Vyasa we shall work to protect our culture in changed times and
also by our work shall devise a system which is self-propelled a
system that can sustain and drive itself toward the goal. In short we
shall have team-based functioning.
Om represents that from which come creation, sustenance and
destruction all phases of the cosmos. It is omnipresent, omnipotent
and omniscient. It represents all the gods and goddesses of all the
people. It is all-inclusive and encompassing all castes and creeds.
Yogashastra says Tasya Vachakah Pranavah Omkara is expression
of Ishwara. Om is Ishwara, the perennial source of inspiration for all of
us, Om is our Atmaswaroopa. Praying to Omkara as Guru means it is
awakening the Atmaguru, as Dattatreya had done. We have to train
our mind that we learn from everything and everyone around us about
how to move toward our goal.
For us this is special year. We are celebrating Mananeeya
Eknathji Janma Shati Parva with the central theme 'One life one
mission.' The celebration of Gurupurnima should be more to focus on
this theme, that whether in our life our time and energy are focused on
performing our Dayitva to the best of ability? Eknathji used to say,
'One life one mission' means when you choose one path, you reject of
millions of other paths. Are we focused on our dayitva, how best we
can carry our dayitva that can be the thought for contemplation on this
Gurupurnima day.
Gurupurnima should strengthen our resolve and also can be
used as an occasion to make new acquaintances become active
workers for the nationalist cause. Thus the occasion should reflect the
solemnity, clarity and also divine touch to make deep impressions on
the mind to awaken the need of furthering our tradition and energize
them towork for it.
With warm regards
Yours Sincerely
Nivedita

Activities at Saumarbhumi Vibhag

Activities at Ratnabhumi Vibhag

PDC for non VKV students by VKV (NEC) Baragolai

VKV (NEC) Baragolai conducted a one day
Personality Development Camp for non VKV students,
where 46 students took part from class V-X, from seven
different schools of Margherita sub division. Camp was
inaugurated by Smt. Pranati Roy, Principal VKV (NEC)
Baragolai. Kisor Thakuria, from Vivekananda Kendra
Arunjyoti spoke on the topic 'Swami Vivekananda-our
inspiration'. It was followed by song, games, group
discussion etc. In concluding programme students
expressed their learning experience and satisfaction.

International Yoga Day at Kajalgaon

International Yoga Day was celebrated by VKV
st
Kajalgaon on 21 June 2015 on Kajagaon High School
Playground with participation of Patanjali Pith Chirang,
R.S.S. Chirang, Bharat Bikash Parisad Chirang, Army
Camp Kajalgaon. Sri Riju Kr. Brahma Retd. Director of BTC,
Kokrajhar spoke on the importance of the occasion. MCLA
Kajalgaon, Deputy Commissioner Chirang and Lieutenant
General, Army Camp, Kajalgaon were present as guest of
honour. Total number of attendance was 350.

Activities at Kamrup Vibhag

Activities at Gurubhumi Vibhag

Karyakarta Prashikshan Shibir at Kamrup Vibhag

Dimasa Sanmelan at Komrakata Village, Hojai

Vivekananda Kendra is going to organize a Janajati
Netritva Sanmelan at Kanyakumari from 14th to 16th
September 2015 with 45 Janajati leaders all over India. From
Assam 7 Janajatis will attend the same.
Under this head, a Dimasa Sanmelan was held on 5th
July, 2015 at Komrakata Village near Hojai. Total no. of
participants was 250. Among the distinguished guests, three
former presidents of Dimasa Sahitya Sabha were present. In
the Sanmelan, MEJSP Pranta Parva Pramukh Sri Soumitra
Puzari delivered the Key note address on MEJSP and
Janajati Sanmelan: Concept and Objectives. The participants
took active part in the discussion.Manyquestions were asked
by the participants regarding Vivekananda Kendra and its
objectives as it was for the first time they were in close contact
with Kendra. Dimasa song was performed by some local
ladies. Sri Pradipji Bakliwal Kendra coordinator of Dimasa
Janajati for the Sanmelan spoke on follow up planning.
Personality Development Camp at Tezpur
Residential Personality Development Camp was
rd
organized by Vivekananda Kendra Branch Tezpur from 3 to
6th July 2015. Total participant was 68 and organizing team
12 Karyakartas. The sessions were Srimanta shankardev
delivered by Sri Jaanmoni Borah Advocate, Bharatiya
Sanskriti by Dr. Sanjay Deka Saha Nagar Sanchalak Tezpur
nagar. other programmes were Suryanamaskar, Sanskar
Varga, Manthan, Bhajan Sandhya, Games, etc. for
strengthening of the qualities and development of skills.

Kamrup Vibhag has organised Karyakarta Prashikshan

Shibir from 5th to 7th June 2015 at Prant Karyalaya, Panbazar,
Guwahati. Total 40 participants and 12 Karyakartas were
present in Shibir. The boudhik sessions of the Shibir wereAmar
Prerona Shrot Swami Vivekananda conducted by Smt. Manju
Bora Bania Nagar Pramukh Vasistha nagar Kamrup Vibhag;
Bharatiya Sanskriti by Dr. Gyanjyoti Sarma Vice Principal R.G.
Baruah College, Guwahati and Saha Pramukh Kamakhya
Nagar Kamrup Vibhag; Vivekananda Shila Smarak aru Man.
Eknathji by Man. Meera Kulkarni Prant Sanghatak Assam
Prant; Challenges and Response by Dr. Kathakali
Bhattacharjee Saha Pramukh Kamrup Vibhag.
In planning, Personality Development Camp for school
students was planned to be organised by the Karyakarta
teams. Ad. Ritumoni Didi, Saumarbhumi Vibhag Sanghatak
was present throughout the Shibir.
Shankardev Pragya Pratiyogita
Vivekananda Kendra Guwahati Mahanagar has
organized Shankardev Pragya Pratiyogita in seven Schools of
Guwahati in the month of June 2015. For Class V to VII was
drawing competition and Class VIII and IX was essay
competition. Total number of participantwas312.
Workshop for Teachers
Vivekananda Kendra Branch Guwahati has conducted a
three hour workshop on Yoga The way of life, for teachers in
College Teacher Orientation Programme at Academic Staff
College, Gauhati University on 20th June 2015. Number of
Participants was 43 and the organizing team comprised of Dr.

Activities at Barak Vibhag

HRD Minister Smt. Smriti Zubin Iirani's visit at VKV,

Gynanjyoti Sarma Vice Principal R.G. Baruah College,

Guwahati and Saha Pramukh Kamakhya Nagar Kamrup
Vibhag; Sri Kamalakanta Deka Sub Inspector Assam Police
and Nagar Pramukh, Ugratara Nagar Kamrup Vibhag; and Sri
Rupak Das Karyakarta Vivekananda Kendra, Kamrup Vibhag.
International YogaDaycelebration at Kamrup Vibhag
Vivekananda Kendra Kanyakumari Guwahati
Mahanagar has celebrated International Yoga Day in twenty
one places of Guwahati in association with a number of
Institutions and Organizations. Yoga the way of life based on
the vision of oneness was the theme of celebration. Venues
and participants are North Guwahati College (Participants 65),
Cotton College and Cotton State University (Participants 110),
S.B Deorah College (Participants 100), Handique Girls'
College (Participants 70), Gauhati University (Participants
100), Academic Staff College Gauhati University (Participants
43), Science Museum Guwahati (Participants 130),
Archaeological Survey of India, Guwahati (Participants 35),
RBI Officer colony (Participants 50), Brahmabodh Ashram,
Lalganesh (Participants 110), Satguru Ashram, Paltanbazar
(Participants 30), Reliance India, Guwahati (Participants 35),
for LIC Officers (Participants 100), Borthakurmill Ulubari
(Participants 38), Dispur (Participants 70), AG Office
(Participants 32), Brand Factory Showroom (Participants 50),
Kerela Samaj (Participants 80), VK Chandmari Vistar
(Participants 71), VKAmbikagirinagar Vistar (Participants 12)
and VKIC (Participants 100).
Yoga satra at VKIC
Vivekananda Kendra Institute of Culture conducts 10
Days Introductory Yoga Course from 1st to 10th of every month.
After International Yoga Day Celebration on 21st of June
throughout the globe, there were 130 participants in the month
of July in the Yoga Satra at VKIC,Uzanbazar.

Ramnagar, Silchar
On 29th May 2015 Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani, the Union
Minister of Human Resource Development, Govt. of India
visited Vivekananda Kendra Vidyalaya, Ramnagar, Silchar
at 11:40am. Along with her Sri Kabindra Purkayastha,
Former Union Minister, Sri Dilip Paul MLA of Silchar
constituency and Sri Kaushik Rai, District President of BJP,
Cachar, Assam accompanied her. She was welcomed by
the family of Vivekananda Kendra, Silchar and
Vivekananda Kendra Vidyalaya, Ramnagar, Silchar. She
first offered flowers to the statue of Swami Vivekananda.
She inaugurated the new block (Phase I) of the school
building.
She also had a short and sweet interaction with the
students where she asked 'who is a good citizen?' She
appreciated the students and said that who can sing
Bharat -Vande Mataram can have patriotic feelings for the
country. Even the teachers were appreciated by her for
guiding the students in right direction, who promise the
hope for holding out a better citizen of the country.
Personality Development Camp at Barak Valley
A personality development camp was organized from
25th May 2015 to 28th May 2015 in VKV Ramnagar under the
guidance of Su. Monomita didi, Su. Ratnadeepa didi, Sri
Sudhir sir and Sri Ananta sir along with the students of class
X for the students of class VI. Students of VKV Ramnagar
(24 students) Durgakona Public High School (16 students),
Pushpadevi Bhuwalka M.E. School (13 students) and
BorjalengaMVschool(7students) participated in the camp.
The four days comprised of many sessions: Prarthana
session, Yogabhyas, Boudhik satras, Manthan,
Karyashala, Geetaabhyas, Bhajan session and Krida yoga
namely.
In Boudhik sessions, Personality Development,
Swami Vivekananda, Mananeeya Eknath ji and Indian
culture where dealt with. Karyashala session was used to
discuss different life skills.
30 parents attended the programme samapan
samaroh on 28th May 2015 .

Activities at Devibhumi Vibhag

Vibhag Karyakarta Prashikshan shibir, Devibhumi
Vibhag Karyakarta Prashikshan shibir, Devibhumi
Vibhag was organized by Vivekananda Kendra
th
th
Kanyakumari Branch Mangaldoi from 28 to 30 July,
2015. Total participants were 40 (Nalbari 5, Mangaldoi
town 13, Udalguri 2, Shipajar 2, Hazarikapara 10,
Patidarang 2, Jaljali 6) and 12 Karyakartas were there in
organizing team. In inauguration programme were present
Ad. Mukul Deka Nagar Sanchalak Mangaldoi, Ad. Arup
Kumar Bora Nagar Pramukh Mangaldoi nagar and Sri
Ratan Ghosh Saha Vavastha Pramukh Mangoldoi nagar.
Boudhik sessions were Amar prerona shrot Swami
Vivekananda lead by Sri Prafulla Dev Sharma Dept. of
Political Science Majbat College and Sampark Pramukh
Mangoldoi nagar, Shila Smarak aru Man. Eknathji lead by
Sri Ratan Ghosh Saha Vavastha Pramukh Mangoldoi
nagar, Our Challenges Lead by Ad Kamlakant
Baliarsingha Yuva Pramukh MEJSP Assam Prant and
Regional Administrative Officer VKSPV, Need of
Organised Work lead by Ad Dadul Das Nagar Sanghatak
Mangoldoi nagar.
in the concluding session Karyakartas have planned
Sanskar Varga, Kendra Varga and Yoga Satra in their
respective Karyastans.

Activities at Devobhumi Vibhag

Assam Prant Karyakarta Prashikshan shibir, Khatkhati
Prant Karyakarta Prashikshan shibir, Assam Prant was
organized in Vivekananda Kendra Vocational Training Center
Khatkhati, Karbi Anglang from 10th July to 16th July 2015 with
106 participant Karyakartas and 38 organising team
Karyakartas. Total twelve Gana was formed with the name of
twelve Jyotilinga. Seven Gana were for brothers and five for
sisters. Karyakartas from all ten Vibhag and Projects
attended the Shibir.

In the inauguration programmeManBhanudasji General

Secretary Vivekananda Kendra Kanyakumari and Ad.
Laksheswar Saikia, Village Head, 1- Sarumanthi
Kacharigaon, Khatkhati were present.
Emphasis was put for holistic development of the
Karyakartas in terms of Skills, Concepts and Attitude.
Yogabhyas, Sanskar Varga, Sramsanskar, Bouddik sessions,
Manthan, Geetapath, Geet mantra abhyas, Naipunya were
planned and executed accordingly. Man. Bhanudasji, Ad
Saumitra Pujari Parva Pramukh MEJSP Assam Prant, Dr.
Sanjay Deka Saha nagar Sanchalak Tezpur nagar were
present as resource persons in the shibir.
In the samapan samaroh Dr. Anup Dey and Dr. Subhash
Biswas both from Dept. of English Assam University Diphu
Campus, were present.

Your contributionmatters

We appeal to all to join this effort by

contributing your time, energy and money so
that together we realize the vision of Swami
Vivekananda, One vision I see clear as life
before me: that the ancient Mother has
awakened once more, sitting on Her throne
rejuvenated, more glorious than ever.
Proclaim Her to all the world with the voice of
peace and benediction.
The contributions are eligible for Income Tax
exemption under Section 80 G
Contact : Vivekananda Kendra Kanyakumari
Assam Prant Karyalaya
S.C. Goswami Road, Panbazar, Guwahati-1
Mobile : 94353 94151
E-mail : assam@vkendra.org