Vivekananda Kendra

Kanyakumari

- a spiritually oriented service mission -

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 Serve-Man Serve-God

Service to humanity is
worship of divinity

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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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 Swamiji’s plan for rejuvenating Bharat…

Serve-Man Serve-God

“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.”

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 Swamiji inspired youths, leaders,
scientists, entrepreneurs…… whole
generation, and generations to come to
develop their potential fully and apply
it for common good

“Divinity of Man ” .

Greatest Message of Swami Vivekananda

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 After having set the movement of regeneration of
Bharat and the humanity through his message and
work, Swamiji took Mahasamadhi on 4th July 1902.

“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."
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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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Emergence of Vivekananda Kendra

Founder Sri Eknathji Ranade

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 Eknathji embarked the second phase –
Vivekananda Kendra – memorial of Swamiji
in flesh and blood.

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Eknathji’s thought behind Vivekananda Kendra

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.

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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 Service 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.”
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 Man-Making through
- Karyapadhdhati -Yoga Varga, Samskar Varga,
Swadhyaya Varga

- Utsavas

- Shibirs

- Projects

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 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.

Swadhyaya Varga–coming
together, thinking together and
working together for national
resurgence.
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 Utsavas
Vivekananda Kendra Utsavas are with national
perspective – to awaken national consciousness.
Also, for revitalizing the significance of the
principles behind the Utsavas.
“Samarth Bharat Parva”
“Guru Poornima”
“Universal Brotherhood Day”
“Sadhana Diwas”
“Gita Jayanti”
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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
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.
-Yoga Shiksha Shibir
-Spiritual Retreat
-Karyakarta
Prashikshan Shibirs
-Acharya Prashikshan
Shibir
-Youth Shibirs
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 Service Projects
Vivekananda Kendra has several service
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 Jyoti
Objective: Development through Culture
Activities: Anaupacharik Shiksha Manch, Swasthya Seva Manch,
Yuva Manch, Mahila Manch, Samskritik Manch.

Located in Arunachal Pradesh 35

 Arun Jyoti Activities

MAHILA MANCH YUVA MANCH SWASTHYA MANCH

SANSKRITIK MANCH ANAUPACHARIK

SHIKSHA MANCH
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 Vivekananda Kendra Institute of Culture
Activities : Organisation of Seminars, workshops, documentation,
project, lecture series, study circle and a reference library.
Objective : To bring forth the unique attributes of the North-
East and nourish the commonalities.

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

Arunachal Pradesh. 37
Vivekananda Kendra Institute of
Culture

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 Vivekananda Rural Welfare Project
Objective : 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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 “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 Vidyalayas
Objective : 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 20,000 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 –
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Vivekananda Kendra Prakashan Trust
Activities : Publication in English, Hindi, Marathi, Gujarati,
Assamese and Tamil.
Objective : To spread the noble thoughts of Swami Vivekananda and
healthy literature to inspire youth with the message.

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

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Vivekananda Kendra Prakashan Trust

Magazine Language
Yuva Bharati English
Kendra Bharati Hindi
Vivek Vani Tamil
Vivek Vichar Marathi
Vivek Sudha Gujarati
Vivek Jagruti Assamese+English
Vivekanada Kendra English
Patrika
Vishva Bhanu Malayalam 47
 “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 Foundation
Objective : Medical Sevices
Activities : Vivekananda Kendra (NRL) Hospital and VK-BORL,
Bina – Treatment through modern technology and medical camps in
13 villages regularly.

Location : 1. Numaligarh, Golaghat, Assam,

2. Bina, Madhya Pradesh 49
Natural Resources Development Project
Objective : Sustainable Development
Location : Kanyakumari
Activities : Cost effective housing, water management,
organic farming, indigenous health system, renewable
energy.

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 Project
Objective: 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 53

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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 “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.” 59
 Nation Builders
PATRONS
Supporting the Karya through Karyakartas.

LOCAL KARYAKARTAS
Householders giving time for the service.

ACHARYAS
Teachers of Vivekananda Kendra Vidyalayas

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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Let us make the Whole World Noble
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Vivekananda Kendra, Kanyakumari
Vivekanandapuram
Kanyakumari
Tamilnadu – 629 702
Ph: 04652-247012
Email: info@vkendra.org
www.vkendra.org

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